Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts belives superstar Mookie Betts will be in the MVP conversation this season.
Jack Vita of the Los Angeles Times shared Roberts comments via X.
“Mookie [Betts] will be in the MVP conversation this year,” Roberts said.
Betts will have some competition this season, especially on his own team. The overwhelming favorite to win MVP this season in the National League is none other than Shohei Ohtani. The 31-year-old two-way superstar is at the top of the leader board, and that comes as no surprise.
Betts will have an uphill battle for that award, especially after the season he just endured. The Dodgers 2025 regular season was not magical at all, and neither was the four-time champions play.
In the season, the eight-time All-Star slashed .258/.326/.406 with a .732 OPS (the lowest of his career). Health was on Betts’ side as he played 150 games; however, he was never able to find his groove.
Betts has finished inside the top 10 of MVP voting seven times in his career and in the top five five times. The Tennessee native is no stranger to MVP-level seasons; the only question is whether he can still produce at that level.
The six-time Gold Glove winner’s production has trended downward in recent seasons, and heading into Year 13, Father Time is beginning to loom. Fortunately for the Dodgers, they don’t need him to play superhero to contend.
The Dodgers are loaded with talent from top to bottom. If Betts is at least a bit better compared to last season, L.A. should have no problem cruising to their 10th title in franchise history.
Where Will Mookie Betts bat in the Order?
Roberts said on Wednesday that he is leaning towards having Betts bat No. 3 in the order against both left and right handed pitching in 2026.
Since Ohtani arrived in Los Angeles, Betts was the No. 2 batter in the order. However, with a dip in productivity and the arrival of Kyle Tucker, that leaves Roberts with no choice. Still, Betts is expected to produce and play a big role for L.A.
