Inbox: Will Taylor start when A-Gon returns?

Beat reporter Ken Gurnick fields Dodgers fans' questions

August 14th, 2017

Is Chris Taylor a lock to start over and if comes back on a tear?
-- @daviddee40

Dave Roberts has already indicated that when Gonzalez returns, it will be in a part-time role. And Gonzalez will need to show he's healthy and productive. The same is true for , and both could be competing for the same postseason spot as a seasoned left-handed hitter off the bench. Taylor has become a vital everyday outfielder and leadoff hitter, and that won't change. Roberts' toughest decision will probably involve , if his bat doesn't heat up.
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Why isn't Walker Buehler starting at Triple-A?
-- Chen Liu

Management has intended since Spring Training to groom No. 1 prospect Buehler for a multiple-innings relief role with the Major League club for September and beyond. It's a bold project, especially because Buehler, who had Tommy John surgery after being drafted, had pitched only five professional innings when that talk started as he began throwing bullpen sessions in February. But that's how excited the front office has been about his fast-track potential. Buehler has made three relief appearances thus far. The one Sunday was electric, with five strikeouts in two innings and his first professional save. Oklahoma City Dodgers broadcaster Alex Freedman called it "real and spectacular."
My question is, when do you think Dodger Stadium will host another MLB All-Star Game?
-- Michael, Las Vegas, Nev.

There is hope. Reporter Jon Heyman writes that Dodger Stadium is being considered by MLB to host either the 2020 or '21 All-Star Game. The last time it happened was 1980, and since then, every MLB team except Tampa Bay has hosted at least one All-Star Game, and nine teams have hosted it twice. And when Cleveland hosts in 2019, it will be the third time that city has hosted since Los Angeles had one. Nationals Park will host the game in Washington, D.C., in 2018.

Assuming pitches like an ace, what will it take to sign Darvish? Five years/$125 million? Given 's uncertainties, will the front office sign him?
-- @Skythomsen

Darvish will be the best starting pitcher on the market this offseason, so let's say six years and $150 million. That would be nearly twice as much as the highest contract current management has awarded anybody (, $80 million). So, I doubt it. Darvish is 1 1/2 years older than Kershaw. If management is looking to lock up an ace long term, it could extend Kershaw this offseason, rather than wait until after next season when he can opt out, as the Dodgers did with Zack Greinke. If the player is willing to talk, it's always more favorable to the club when it has exclusive negotiating rights, as opposed to a free-agent bidding war.
Why bring Chris Hatcher back?
-- @vincecaporale3

The front office has always liked Hatcher, but it needs to see what he can do after being sidelined for nearly two months. With a massive division lead, the Dodgers have the luxury of essentially giving Hatcher an August tryout. Hatcher can pitch multiple innings, which a lot of the Dodgers' current relievers are not well suited to do. He and Josh Ravin provide depth should something happen to right-handed hard throwers Josh Fields, or .