Dodgers News: Mookie Betts Expresses Desire for a Full Time Position Change
One of the more underrated aspects of this current baseball season has been the overall play of Dodgers star Mookie Betts. Betts has been one of the more consistent players across the league all season and is playing himself into the MVP conversation in the National League.
He has shown the ability to not only be an effective hitter, but he has moved back and forth from different spots on defense as well. The Dodgers have used Betts as both a shortstop and second baseman this season and he is having one of the best seasons in his career.
Betts has talked about his enjoyment of playing on the dirt within the infield and that he would love to finish his career as a full-time infielder.
“I hope so. I would hope so, for sure,” Betts said of finishing his career as an infielder. “I don’t know. It just kind of depends on who they bring in and all those types of things.”
Per The OC Register
Just the mere fact that he can play in these different spots and do them at a high rate allows the Dodgers even more flexibility. LA values having players who can play multiple positions so when their star can do it, it just shows how much more value he brings to the table.
Splitting time between the different spots has allowed Betts to experience different things this season. But his bat hasn’t let him down while playing either. He owns a .874 OPS when playing in right field and has even better numbers as an infielder. When he plays shortstop, it goes up to 1.039 and at second, 1.079.
As a whole, Betts is hitting .278 with 27 home runs and 67 runs batted in. He has a .955 OPS for the year and his skillset keeps impressing everyone on a daily basis.
“I could have been an infielder my whole career. But it didn’t work out that way,” Betts said. “I’ve never considered myself a right fielder. I just play right field. I’ve always considered myself a middle infielder.”
Per The OC Register
Well, Betts could have fooled us because he is pretty damn good as an outfielder. But that just shows how special of a player he truly is and we are seeing it on full display this season.
“This is like summer ball. I remember summer ball I would play short one game, second one game, center one game. So I’m not nervous. This is just normal.”
Per The OC Register
The Dodgers are going to need Betts to keep this level of production up as the season starts to wind down. He doesn’t seem to be slowing down and could very well end up with another MVP if it continues.
Photo Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
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IMO I would let Betts play 2nd or short. He likes it and he hits better. But thay leaves a big question mark for Vargas. Can he hit enough to play 3rd or left field, or can he hit enough to become trade bait?
If that’s how Betts feels, he’d be my 2nd baseman. The right handed bat that the Dodgers think they need is named Nolan Arenado. That should be a no brainer. He would waive his no trade clause to come home. He’s signed for several more years and would be the perfect complement to Mr. Freeman at first.
Since your going to sign Ohtani as a free agent (instead of trading all your assets now) use those assets for more frontline pitching. There’s no guarantee that Kershaw will be back. Is what we’re seeing of Urias going to be the norm? May might never be the same after this surgery. Be smart Andrew. Don’t put all your eggs in one Japanese basket. You have the ability to use your assets to set the Dodgers up for many more seasons.