Brewers: 3 Qualifying Offer Free Agents Milwaukee Should Pursue

Brewers Qualifying Offer Free Agent Target #2: Chris Taylor

What do the Milwaukee Brewers love most when it comes to position players? That’s right, versatility.

Who is the most versatile free agent position player among this group? That would be one Chris Taylor.

Just this past year, Taylor played all three outfield positions as well as second base, shortstop, and third base. On top of that, he hit .254 with 20 homers, 13 stolen bases, and a 110 OPS+ this year while earning an All Star nod. Craig Counsell would LOVE to have a player like Taylor at his disposal.

Given the current construction of the Brewers roster, the most likely spot Taylor would fit would be right field, the position vacated by Avisail Garcia. All his other positions have players entrenched at them already, but Taylor could certainly fill in if any of them got hurt or needed a day off.

The 31 year old Taylor has been a valuable member of the Dodgers the past several seasons. He brings a combination of power, on-base ability, and defensive versatility. Plus, he’s had some clutch moments for LA over the years, including this postseason.

Since Taylor is on the wrong side of 30 and doesn’t really have a singular, everyday position, that could hinder his contract expectations this winter. He may not be able to beat the $18.4MM salary on an Average Annual Value basis, but in a multi-year deal, he’ll certainly earn plenty and get some long-term security.

With Milwaukee, Taylor could move around, but have a mostly regular home in right field, at least for right now. That could change in future years.

We’ll see if Taylor accepts or rejects the QO from Los Angeles, the organization that turned him into an All Star, but if he’s on the market, he’s the type of guy the Brewers are likely to pursue.