Friday, November 8, 2024
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2024
This week the Dodgers announced Mookie Betts will move back to the infield. This was expected, but the Dodgers have a shortage of outfielders. Moving Betts is in the best interest for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the player.
Mookie Betts was an original second baseman, but the Boston Red Sox had a great second baseman when Betts came to the major leagues. The Red Sox made Betts a right fielder. Betts became the greatest defensive right fielder in the game today.
Even while playing right field, Betts took ground balls in the infield. After the Dodgers traded for Betts and signed him to 12-year $360 million contract, Betts took ground balls in the infield, and sometimes, Dave Roberts played Betts at second base.
In the 2023 season, the Dodgers needed a second baseman and had Jason Heyward in right field. When Betts played second base, he produced more offensively.
During the 2023-2024 offseason, the Dodgers announced Betts would be their second baseman. While in spring training, Gavin Lux, coming off serious knee surgery, proved he was no major league shortstop. Thus, the Dodgers swapped Betts and Lux.
Playing shortstop was a difficult challenge for Betts, but he was producing remarkably offensively. Betts was frustrated with himself when he committed an error.
On Sunday, June 16th against the Kansas City Royals, Betts was plunked and broke his hand. He didn’t return to the Dodgers until Monday, August 12th against the Milwaukee Brewers. To make room for Betts, the Dodgers released Heyward, so the Dodgers needed Betts in right field.
Betts played an integral role winning the world championship. At 32, Betts has lost a step in right field. He still is an excellent right fielder, but he enjoys playing in the infield.
Betts is a better second baseman than a shortstop. During the 2024 season, Gavin Lux was the Dodger second baseman, but he proved he couldn’t hit left-handed pitching. Lux didn’t perform well offensively, except in August and September. Lux had proven he can’t play shortstop or outfield on the major league level. The Dodgers should trade Lux.
Most baseball pundits think the Dodgers will go after Willy Adames, a free agent shortstop from the Brewers. The Dodgers need an everyday shortstop. They have Tommy Edman, but Edman can play center field, something that the Dodgers must have.
The Dodgers need to trade James Outman, “center fielder of the future.” After a mediocre rookie year, Outman struggled mightily during his sophomore year when he had a .147 batting average, 4 home runs, and 11 RBI in 53 games. Outman’s swing is complicated and hard to maintain. He is not a good defensive center fielder.
Andy Pages will need to be in the lineup because he can hit. However, he is no center fielder. He could be a good right fielder. While every baseball pundit thinks the Dodgers will pursue Juan Soto, a free agent Yankee right fielder, they won’t be able to afford him whom is a below-average defensive right fielder.
The Dodgers must re-sign Teoscar Hernández. Hernández is a good defensive left fielder who can produce offensively, including against left-handed pitching. His always happy personality is critical to the Dodger clubhouse.
The Dodgers need a good defensive center fielder. Edman would be it, but his ability to play multiple positions will be more valuable to the Dodgers than being an everyday center fielder.
It will be a fascinating Dodger offseason.
