At the time, the trade looked unremarkable. There was little reason to think otherwise. On June 19, 2016, the Dodgers sent Zach Lee, a former first-round pick who had slipped in the organization’s pitching hierarchy, to Seattle. In return, the team acquired a light-hitting utility infielder named Chris Taylor.
The value of Taylor did not become obvious until 10 months later, when starting second baseman Logan Forsythe broke his toe and backup second baseman Chase Utley careened into a horrific slump.
The Dodgers have turned to Taylor as one of their primary middle infielders.