Dodgers Lose Corey Seager and Max Scherzer, Re-Sign Chris Taylor as Lockout Begins

Taylor’s four-year $60 million contract stands as L.A.’s final official transaction, potentially for months.

Major League Baseball did not have to institute a lockout at 12:01 a.m. ET Thursday, 9:01 p.m. at the center of the baseball world (Los Angeles) Wednesday. They chose to do so. They picked the day, they picked the time and had their thoroughly unconvincing public relations material ready likely weeks in advance.

The owners could have followed their reaso…