Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes spoke to members of the media at the general manager meetings, including Joel Sherman of The New York Post (X link) and Bob Nightengale of USA Today (X link). Gomes relayed that the Dodgers are probably going to have Mookie Betts move back to the infield, either at shortstop or second base.
In the first half of 2024, Betts playing the infield was an incredible storyline, as he moved to the dirt after years of being established as a right fielder. He had been a second baseman as a prospect with the Red Sox but had moved to the grass in deference to Dustin Pedroia. He eventually won multiple Gold Gloves and other fielding awards for his work in right field but amazingly started switching back more recently.
The Dodgers gave Betts brief looks at second base in each season from 2020 to 2022 but then ramped it up, putting him there for 485 innings in 2023. They also started dabbling with Betts as a shortstop that year, with 98 innings at that spot.
The club was evidently pleased with the experiment, as manager Dave Roberts announced in December that Betts would be the club’s primary second baseman in 2024, with Gavin Lux planned as the regular shortstop. But when Lux struggled with his throws during spring training, the Dodgers decided to flip them.
That suddenly left Betts looking to essentially learn one of the most demanding positions on the fly, but it seemed to be working well enough for a time. He got a -4 grade from Outs Above Average at shortstop this year but +3 Defensive Runs Saved. He did that while producing a massive .304/.405/.488 batting line and 153 wRC+ through the middle of June, seemingly putting himself in the Most Valuable Player conversation.
Unfortunately, it was at that time that he suffered a hand fracture after being hit by a pitch and then missed about two months. While he was on the shelf, the Dodgers decided that he would be moved back to his familiar right field position once he healed up.
Now it seems that Betts will get another shot on the infield, which will immediately lead to speculation about the club’s offseason pursuits. The top free agent this winter is corner outfielder Juan Soto, though he is not the only intriguing guy in that category. The Dodgers could consider bringing back Teoscar Hernández or pursuing guys like Anthony Santander, Jurickson Profar, Tyler O’Neill or Michael Conforto.
The infield market, meanwhile, isn’t as deep. Gleyber Torres is arguably the top option at second base despite a mediocre season. He has generally hit well in his career but was barely league average in 2024. Since he’s not considered a strong defender, that dip at the plate was concerning. At shortstop, there is a strong option in Willy Adames, who has interested the Dodgers before. But apart from him, the top option is Ha-Seong Kim, who might miss the first half of the upcoming season due to shoulder surgery.
Given the disparity between those markets, having Betts on the infield perhaps gives the Dodgers the best opportunity to take advantage of the offseason conditions. Depending on how things play out, it could also give them some trading options. Between Betts, Lux, Tommy Edman, Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor, they could perhaps make someone in that group available. On the other hand, Edman and Taylor are super utility guys who can also play the outfield, meaning they could be valuable in providing support on the grass.
Without Betts, the outfield mix consists of Andy Pages, Edman, Taylor and James Outman. Catching prospect Dalton Rushing has started getting some outfield reps since he’s fairly blocked behind the plate with the recent Will Smith extension, as well as the presence of fellow catching prospects Diego Cartaya and Hunter Feduccia.
Perhaps this entire roster picture will change as the offseason develops and the Dodgers navigate their options in the coming months. They could add an outfielder or perhaps an infielder, then pivot Betts back to the outfield. The flexibility gives the Dodgers plenty of options for how to proceed and makes for a fascinating career arc for Betts.
Happy for Mookie getting another ring – won’t be his last.
Makin’ room for Mr. Soto?
Hopefully Teoscar over Soto.
Maybe there’s room for both.
Why Betts was below avg at shortstop. Put him back in right he’s an above avg outfielder. Plus the Dodgers have Edman and Rojas to play SS, both well above avg short stops. Lux was who was coming off a major surgery was below avg the first half, but was a huge contributor the second half and was strong def at 2nd. Don’t see the logic of moving Betts
Last year they said the reason for moving Betts had to do with managing his workload (forwhatever reason, Betts finds the infield easier on his body than the outfield), so I’m guessing that still applies. That leads me to think they’d prefer to keep Betts at 2B, if possible.
Making room for Soto and keeping Mookie away from the front-row freaks.
I don’t think Juan Soto fits well with the Dodgers. His defense is poor and zero defensive versatility.
I think the Dodgers should go younger at SS. The corners are aging veterans. I’ll bet they trade Gavin Lux this offseason.
Just saw Mookie playing pickleball with Roger Beshens Football Slider here in Peoria Az. Talking 2nd base and Roger consulting with Brent Strom and Dbacks. Pictures on his Facebook. Hopefully Mookie will persuade the dodgers. They have too many injuries from throwing that type of slider. That was one of the Dbacks concerns besides the shaping and adjustments of the pitch.
I don’t quite get this bit you’re doing, but I like it
I think this is the same troll that’s had his bookie threatening him for 3 weeks after he lost thousands he bet but can’t pay…although the WS is over.
He should post on ‘Pro Football Rumors’ or ‘Hoops Rumors’. Then again, maybe he does.
It gets old after a while though.
Mute
I’m genuinely curious to know what account number you’re up to now
Making a run at Soto perhaps. I wonder, if he does sign and if he agrees to deferred money, it gets him to sign with the Dodgers. I really would not be surprised that the Yankees don’t sign him back.
There’s a big difference in endorsement income between Soto and Ohtani. Very few players will be willing to do that to that extreme.
Juan Soto’s career earnings is 82MM. I think he will be just fine doing a massively deferred deal. If he cares about winning (which he claims he does), LAD is the team to go to. I’d be shocked if they’re not a top 3 favorite to win the WS for the next 5-6 seasons.
I’ll believe it when I see it. I’m betting he gets the most starts in RF in 2025. Edman/Rojas at SS and Lux/Taylor/Kike at 2B.
Moving Mookie back to the infield? WHY? He is average in the infield and great in the outfield. Lux had a fine season at 2nd base. SS is covered.
My guess is that they said this because they are kicking the tires on Willy Adames but don’t want to sound desperate.
Don’t you get it, people? It’s the off-season. Sportswriters have to fill up the space with whatever will grab a headline. If the Dodger GM said that, which I doubt, it was more likely something like Mookie could figure into our infield plans. Long way to go until Spring Training. Of course this past year they did move Betts the week before opening day. If you want the 2 Hernandez, well as free agents, they have to sign them.
This is misinformation. The LAD GM said Dickie Betts was moving to the infield
Dickie plays the OF for the Crypt Kickers.
You’re ramblin’, man.
Tryin’ to make a livin’ and doin’ the betts I can
RIP Dickie, grateful for Tedeschi Trucks
Thank god the Dodgers front office is smarter than the mlbtr comment section. It’s a waste to put Mookie in RF, especially when you compare him to Lux. It’s also smart to keep one of your our best players motivated and happy and this does that.
Lux, defensively, has turned into a solid glove at 2nd. The problem is that his bat is flaky….and I suspect it will always be so.
Going by what Gomes said, if I were Lux, I’d be very nervous. It’s obvious that Betts could slot right into 2nd tomorrow without issue. But he struggled at times at short. I’d be very surprised if they tried him there again, especially seeing as though they already have two of the best at that position in Rojas and Edman.
Although I’m not as big a Soto fan as some, I wouldn’t mind seeing a Soto/Edman/Teoscar L to R outfield next season, with the only concern being on how many games Edman will have to spell Rojas at short.
But, I think between Teoscar and certainly Soto, they will be asking for too much loot to be practical for one team to swallow…especially since LA has already given away the keys to the piggy bank with Ohtani, Yamamoto, Glasnow…etc..etc.
Just a hunch… and I’ve been wrong a ton but I think there is some trade coming with the dodgers that involves Lux. Watching their parade and celebration- he wasn’t promoted much at all where the other tenured dodgers were featured pretty heavily.
Dodgers have some crunching to do as the have a ton of people on the DL that need roster spots theoretically.
I can see Outman, Lux, Miller, May, Gonsolin being on the bubble of the roster. Miller can be optioned and would be selling low. May has filthy stuff but can’t stay healthy… should be interesting.
If he’s moving back to the infield it is because he wants to.
Plus being in the infield gives him future value over an outfield positition. (Terms of any contract restructurest, etc).
“Curiouser and curiouser!” Cried Alice
He needs to start pitching and playing catcher.
“Between Betts, Lux, Tommy Edman, Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor, they could perhaps make someone in that group available”
Teams will be lining up to get a shot at Chris Taylor. He’s only owed $13M next year with a $4M buyout on ’26!
I see what you’ve done here and I like it.
I’m guessing Pages has an every day role next season, it’s just a matter of which spot in the outfield.
With Edman and Lux (guys who I guess can also play OF), you would think you would need Betts in the OF. I guess you can play Edman in CF, Betts at 2B and try to get Soto to play RF.
Edman is a better option at SS than Mookie. I don’t get why they want to give their best player more work than just being a very very very good RF.
I guess if you platoon him with Lux it makes sense. But with Rojas and Edman in the fold for next season I don’t see why you’d put him at short. The current OF mix is pretty weak but that should be addressed in free agency. I wonder if they would ever consider letting Ohtani play the field. With his athleticism he surely could handle a corner OF spot.
Seriously doubt they’d play Ohtani in the field ever unless they decide they don’t want him to pitch anymore. Too much risk of injury. bringing back Teo or signing Soto (or Tyler O’Neal), playing Pages in CF, & Mookie in RF with Edman, Lux, & Rojas as your middle IF platoon makes way more sense. The Dodgers have a serious hard-on for making their players all play 6 or 7 positions each.
Pages was ass in CF though. You can get away with it during the regular season but you don’t want him out there in a playoff game. I like him much more in LF, where Teoscar isn’t such a hot fielder either. Maybe they will try to find a left handed platoon partner for him.
Maybe Mookie is just over having to fight fans for foul balls.
Making moves for Soto? Manfred is f’ed up if he lets the Dodgers pull another Ohtani deferred money move.
The Dodgers are committed to getting Betts injured on the Infield similarly to when they moved Cody Bellinger to the OF–with a seperated shoulder…
Bellinger was already an outfielder. A Gold Glover in RF in 2019.
I just don’t see the Dodgers getting Soto. Why would they tie up that many more dollars and years? Even as great as Soto is.
There are too many other needs. And we need a lefty crusher. That’s why Teo and Kike should come back – unless Teo is just too much in years and dollars.
Tommy Edman and Miguel Rojas at SS in 2025; they can turn to Alex Freeland in 2026.