The Los Angeles Dodgers won their division with a 93-69 record and eventually the World Series despite sub-par offensive production from Mookie Betts.
Betts has been one of the Dodgers’ most important offensive pieces since joining the organization in 2020, but did not have the same level of production in 2025. The right-hander slashed .258/.326/.406 with 20 home runs and 82 RBI. His resulting 104 wRC+ was the lowest of his career and the worst mark of his Dodgers tenure.
Despite this, Betts was still a valuable contributor last season because of his Gold Glove-caliber defense at shortstop.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is anticipating a return to form at the plate for Betts in 2026, more in line with his career 136 wRC+.
“Well, I think that last year started off certainly different with we were in Tokyo and how he was feeling, and the weight loss and all that stuff,” Roberts said. “I think he had a great offseason. He’s in a good headspace, the body’s good.
“And I think for me, it’s just getting back to being who he is. And I just think that last year was an outlier offensive season, and I’m not too concerned about Mookie at all.”
If Betts can pair a resurgence at the plate with his defense from last season, it certainly has the makings of an MVP-caliber season. Roberts believes he is capable of putting such a season together, but said Betts’ priority is helping the Dodgers win games and that any personal accolades will be a byproduct of that effort.
“Absolutely, I have no doubt about it,” Roberts said. “The way he played shortstop last year, expecting him to get better, be better offensively this year, he will be in the MVP conversation this year. But again, I think, speaking for Mookie, his main goal is to help us win a championship.
“So I think whatever falls out from there, I think that will happen. So I just want him to focus on just being healthy, helping us win, and then whatever happens outside of that will happen.”
Betts has said that he made several changes during the offseason to help him become more of a factor with his bat again. This included focuses on his swing, mentality and body movement.
Dodgers plan for Mookie Betts to hit third in the lineup
The top of the Dodgers’ lineup configuration has yet to solidified outside of Shohei Ohtani hitting leadoff and Betts in the third spot. Roberts has yet to figure out who he wants hitting second and fourth, but did share that the first four spots in the order will not change between right-handed and left-handed pitchers.
The Dodgers’ skipper believes that Betts’ skillset matches what he will be looking for from the three hole hitter.
“Yeah, I think leadoff, I feel good with our leadoff hitter right now,” Roberts said. “I think for Mookie in particular, being leadoff, the mindset of getting on base, versus hitting behind Shohei in the number two, I like him in the number three in the sense that I feel that there’s an on-base component, there’s a get hits component, there’s a drive in runs component, and you’re more of a swiss army knife in the lineup. So I’m not beholden to it, but I like him in the three hole right now.”
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