No matter how much the Major League operates on the logic of money, how long should we keep watching? LA Dodgers utility player Chris Taylor (35) is struggling seriously. If this slump continues, he may have to make way for Hyeseong Kim (26).

The Dodgers lost 2-8 against the Washington Nationals in an away game on the 9th (Korea time), marking their third consecutive defeat. Their lineup has struggled, leaving 12 runners on base while striking out 15 times, interrupting the momentum they had after starting the season with 9 wins and 1 loss over the first 10 games.

Max Muncy (.190), Andy Pahse (.162), Miguel Rojas (.111), and Kike Hernandez (.111) are among several players struggling with batting averages below .200, but the most serious case is Taylor (.143). His OPS stands at .286, which is lower than that of many hitters.

In the game against Washington on the 9th, Taylor was substituted in the sixth inning for defensive duties but went 0 for 2 with 2 Samjin. In the eighth inning as the leadoff hitter, he swung and missed at the fourth pitch, an outside high sinker from right-hander Jackson Rutledge, and in a chance with runners on first and third in the ninth, he struck out again on an outside low cutter from Rutledge.

As of that day, Taylor's overall season performance is .143 batting average (1 hit in 7 at-bats), 1 run scored, no walks, 3 Samjin, .143 on-base percentage, .143 slugging percentage, and .286 OPS. Although it's still very early in the season and he has fewer than 10 at-bats, his batting has been consistently poor.

Since being traded from the Seattle Mariners to the Dodgers during the 2016 season, Taylor blossomed as a utility player crossing both infield and outfield, showing potential as a solid hitter. After joining the Dodgers, he adjusted his batting mechanics with a leg kick, successfully recording double-digit home runs in six seasons, including 21 home runs in 2017.

However, in the last year, he recorded a batting average of .220 (43 hits in 213 at-bats) with 4 home runs, 23 RBIs, a .298 on-base percentage, a .300 slugging percentage, and .598 OPS, marking a significant decline in hitting performance. In February, Taylor noted, "The last few years I haven’t performed at the level I wanted. I don't think it's due to physical issues or age. It’s a technical issue. I want to bounce back to the level I was at 4-5 years ago," reflecting his determination to recover, but he has struggled since spring training.

In spring training, he struggled with a batting average of .205 (8 hits in 39 at-bats), 2 RBIs, 2 walks, 20 Samjin, a .244 on-base percentage, a .342 slugging percentage, and an OPS of .586. His strikeout rate reached a staggering 38.1%, and even after the season opener, he has struck out 3 times in 7 at-bats. No matter how valuable he is defensively, his batting has become almost "automatic out," and given his mid-30s age, expecting a rebound is difficult.

The reason the Dodgers cannot give up on Taylor lies primarily in his contract. Taylor signed a four-year, $60 million extension with the Dodgers in December 2021, and his salary this year is $13 million, equivalent to approximately 19.3 billion won. While there is a club option for $12 million next year, it is highly unlikely the Dodgers will exercise it. Since this is the final season of his contract, the Dodgers find themselves in a position where they must make use of him somehow.

However, with current performance, they cannot wait long. This should be recognized as a sunk expense. While other utility players are also struggling, compared to them, Taylor does not inspire even a glimmer of hope.

If the Dodgers decide to give up on Taylor at some point, the chance for Hyeseong Kim to take that position will increase. Hyeseong Kim, who started the season with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, recorded a .380 batting average (12 hits in 39 at-bats), 9 RBIs, 10 runs, 4 walks, 13 Samjin, 4 stolen bases, a .386 on-base percentage, a .487 slugging percentage, and a .873 OPS over 9 games.

On the 9th, he excelled with 3 hits, 3 RBIs, 3 runs, and 1 stolen base, including a double in 6 at-bats against Round Rock Express (affiliated with the Texas Rangers). He is also playing evenly across his main position at second base, as well as shortstop and center field, each for 3 games, showcasing his multi-position capabilities. He is in the process of preparing to take over Taylor's role.

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