Mookie Betts Has Wanted to be Dodgers’ Shortstop For Years, Says Andrew Friedman
Recently, the Dodgers switched the positions of Mookie Betts and Gavin Lux, putting Betts at shortstop and Lux at second base. Even though he earned six Gold Glove Awards as a right-fielder, Betts showed his athleticism last year getting starts at both shortstop and second base.
Now, he is making a permanent move to the infield in 2024, a challenge he’s looking forward to. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman spoke with the media, including Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, and expressed confidence in Betts during this transition,
I’ve never seen a challenge presented to Mookie Betts that he doesn’t not only succeed at, but wildly succeed at. This is something that for years he’s talked about, his disappointment with getting moved off shortstop. Two hundred times a year, since we’ve had him, we’ve seen him taking balls at shortstop.
Andrew Friedman to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic
Last year, after making his first start at shortstop in his professional career, Betts called it, “a dream come true.” He came up in the Boston Red Sox organization as an infielder and has expressed a desire to move back there at some point in his career.
Routinely, photos and videos will surface of Betts taking groundballs at shortstop before a game, even if he is not starting there that game.
Friedman would go on to explain why the Dodgers have so much confidence in Betts making a rather abrupt transition,
As we started to work him into second base more, there’s no question in our mind that the hands play, and the range plays. And anyone who has seen him play right field knows the arm plays. Now it’s just about reps, to sync up his body to get to his arm for the different throws a shortstop makes opposed to a right fielder. And if this weren’t something he was all-in on and not only all-in on but excited about, we wouldn’t mess with it.
Andrew Friedman to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic
The Dodgers have trusted Betts from day one. He was the front office’s first massive signing in the Friedman era when they traded for and extended him a 12-year, $365 million contract.
Moving to shortstop will undoubtedly be a tougher challenge than moving to shortstop. However, Betts is ready for the challenge even saying he’s set his sights on a seventh Gold Glove.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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