The Los Angeles Dodgers assembled a juggernaut roster with no discernible weaknesses on paper entering the 2026 season. Still, one thing they shouldn’t get credit for is stumbling backwards into an elite-level shortstop.
Without Mookie Betts’ impressive transition to shortstop, the Dodgers’ infield would have a black hole at the most important position. Solving that issue would have required a large expense, either financially or in prospect capital.
While the Dodgers will eventually need to find Betts’ successor, they will have ample time to figure that out because he is committed to sticking at shortstop for the rest of his career.
“Yeah, I mean, I’m 100% sure I’ll be able to,” he said. “I keep my body in really good shape. So as I age, the argument is you’ll slow down, or whatever, but no, I’ll be fine. I’ll be fine.
“I’ll work out and do everything it takes to be successful, to be able to move. And I understand that’s what I got. I don’t have the 230 pounds where I don’t have to worry about it. I have to be able to move and stay agile.
“Plus, I got to be able to bowl and golf and everything else, so I’ll be able to play.”
Betts is entering his age-33 season in 2026 and has said he plans to play out the remaining seven seasons of his contract before retiring.
Whether Betts actually remains at shortstop late into his career remains to be seen, but he has already been a positive surprise and it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see it continue.
Mookie Betts wants to take home Gold Glove in 2026
With a full offseason and Spring Training session to train as a shortstop, Betts was top-5 in MLB with 17 defensive runs saved and his six outs above average (OAA) ranked in the 92nd percentile in 2025. It earned him a nomination as a Gold Glove finalist last season, but it was St. Louis Cardinals’ shortstop Masyn Winn who took home the hardware.
This year, Betts has made it a goal to win his seventh Gold Glove award and his first at shortstop.
“Absolutely. It’s to win it every year,” he said. “Like I said, we got Miggy and Woody, got the guys back, so we got close last year, we should be able to get close this year as well.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
