Dodgers: Dave Roberts Believes Mookie Betts Will Eventually End Up at Second Base
Dodger baseball will be underway as soon as we know it, the team has reported to Spring Training, and fans can’t wait to see the Boys in Blue again.
The 2023 squad may not be as deadly as in years past, but they will not be any slouch, either. A lot of that has to do with their superstar right fielder, Mookie Betts. Betts is entering his tenth season in the majors and fourth in Los Angeles.
Betts has been a revelation for the Dodgers, igniting fans with his spectacular play in the batter’s box and many highlight plays in right field.
Mookie is not only one of the best players in the league, but he is one of the best defensive right fielders in the league today. However, as Betts gets older, his time in right field may be counting down. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told USA Today baseball columnist Bob Nightengale that he doesn’t envision Betts playing right field in the tail-end of his career.
“Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, 30, who still has 10 years remaining on his 12-year, $365 million contract, likely will end his career at second base, manager Dave Roberts predicts.
“We have so much depth on the infield now, I don’t see it happening this year,” Roberts says, “but as Father Time takes it toll, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mookie play the last four years of his career at second base.”
Betts was initially drafted as a second baseman by the Boston Red Sox in the 2011 MLB draft. Since entering the league in 2014, Mookie has seen very little time at second base, has spent most of his time in the outfield, and has made a name for himself.
In his time in LA, he’s only fielded second base 15 times in three seasons, and with the Dodger infield as packed as it is, we’ll be lucky to see Betts in the five position.
Father time is undefeated, and with Betts going onto his age 30-season, it could be a matter of time before he could be the everyday starter at second.
That’s a couple of years down the road; in the meantime, Betts will continue to show his defensive prowess in right field.
Which, of course, means that Busch won’t have an opportunity in the Bigs unless and until Vargas moves to 3B. Which could be this year or in five years. Kids being drafted, especially 2B, may refuse to sign with LA in the future….
#LetTheKidsPlay LA