Should the Dodgers Consider Platooning Max Muncy?

Since the last day of the 2021 regular season when Max Muncy suffered a dislocated elbow, he hasn’t been the same player.

This season, Muncy’s power has returned, particularly against right-handed pitching. However, he has abysmal offensive statistics against left-handers.

So, that begs the question: Should the Dodgers platoon Muncy at third base?

Definitely. The problem is the Dodgers don’t have a true third baseman to backup Muncy. Kiké Hernàndez, Amed Rosario, Chris Taylor, and Miguel Rojas can play third base, but none of them have much power.

Muncy has only 7 home runs and a .389 slugging percentage against left-handers, while his on-base percentage of .241 against lefties is terrible. His performance is one of the many reasons that the Dodgers have a losing record against left-handed starters.

If the Dodgers can’t sit Muncy against left-handers, Dave Roberts should move him to the seventh in the lineup, behind power-hitters J.D. Martinez, Mookie Betts and Will Smith in the LA lineup.

When the Dodgers may have had an opportunity to obtain Nolan Arenado, everyone was excited. He is a right-handed power-hitting third baseman and isn’t only a defensive upgrade from Muncy, a displaced first baseman, but he has a .524 slugging percentage against left-handers.

However, that deal fell through at least until the offseason, so Muncy is going to finish this season in LA.

He has a $10 million club option for 2024, so it’ll be interesting to see how his performance the rest of the season affects that decision.

Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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