Dodgers Still Plan to Play Mookie Betts at Shortstop Following Latest Moves: Report
Once the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim to a three-year, $12.5 million deal that includes a two-year club option, the writing appeared to be on the wall for second baseman Gavin Lux.
Three days later, Lux was traded to the Cincinnati Reds.
While the Dodgers still appear to have a logjam of middle infielders, the plan is still to have Mookie Betts play shortstop in 2025. The Dodgers’ roster already includes Miguel Rojas, Tommy Edman, and Chris Taylor, all capable of handling middle infield duties, while fan favorite Kiké Hernández remains available in free agency.
“The current expectation, a source said, is still for Betts to open camp as the Dodgers’ shortstop,” according to a report from Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
For the six-time Gold Glove award winner in right field, this is nothing new. In spring training last season, Betts initially prepared for a move to second base. However, after Lux encountered defensive challenges early in the spring, Betts transitioned to shortstop and took over as the Dodgers’ everyday option at the position heading into the regular season.
Betts moved back to right field when he returned from a fractured hand in August and the Dodgers needed him back in the outfield while Rojas and Edman shared playing time at shortstop.
More news: Phillies Star Says Mets Infielder (Not Lindor) Deserved MVP Over Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani
“He’s ready for the challenge,” general manager Brandon Gomes said about Betts during the Winter Meetings in early December. “He feels like, with a full offseason, he can go and tackle that. Like we’ve said before, he’s one of the guys that I certainly wouldn’t bet against.”
The Dodgers believe that with a full offseason and spring training dedicated to refining his skills at shortstop, Betts can excel at the position. Given his track record and competitive drive, the Los Angeles superstar isn’t aiming to be just adequate — he’s striving to be elite.
“We had conversations [when Betts moved back to right field in 2024], just like, ‘Hey, this is not dead forever. Let’s go win a World Series, and then we’ll have the conversation,'” Gomes said. “Mook, as we saw early last year, all he cares about is winning. [He’s] as selfless of a superstar as I’ve ever seen in my life.”
If the experiment doesn’t work out, Betts could always move back to the outfield — but if he has anything to say about it, he is going to see this transition through to the end.
More news: One Free Agent Dodgers Need to Sign Before 2025 Season Gets Underway
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more!
