As the Los Angeles Dodgers were fast approaching the start of their 2024 schedule with the Seoul Series, the team quickly reacted in response to Gavin Lux’s throwing woes by moving Mookie Betts to shortstop.
Betts’ second position change since the end of the 2023 season resulted in Lux being flipped back over to second base. Both have shown some signs of still needing to get comfortable, but the results overall have been encouraging.
In his career, Betts has won six Gold Glove Awards, all for his play in right field, with his most recent coming in 2022. Entering this season, the 31-year-old eyed adding another as the Dodgers’ second baseman.
Following the shift to shortstop, Betts hasn’t wavered in his personal benchmark of premiere defensive play at such a premium position, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
#Dodgers Mookie Betts said he wanted to win a Gold Glove at second base this season. The goal doesn't change with the move to SS:
"As long as I'm taking that diamond I'm trying to win a silver bat or a Gold Glove, one of the two, if not both."
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) March 9, 2024
In 2023, Betts logged 98 innings at shortstop with a defensive runs saved (DRS) of zero. At second base, he carried a 6 DRS.
Betts’ athleticism and talent is likely to elevate his play, which is evident in an uptick in production at the plate after the Dodgers asked him to play second base last season.
Coming up through the Boston Red Sox system as an infielder means the 10-year veteran has the prowess engrained in him. Being asked to play such a demanding position is a reversal from the Dodgers’ reasoning for moving Betts to second base, but he is as capable as anyone of handling it.
Should Mookie Betts remain at shortstop?
Betts is a proficient defensive player, and with where the Dodgers are at, he might have to stick at shortstop for a decent amount of time.
The Dodgers will assess the situation continuously as Lux works toward overcoming his issues. If by the midway point of the season there hasn’t been improvement, they could make a more focused effort to acquire Willy Adames from the Milwaukee Brewers.
However, Betts, by all accounts, has what it takes to play a solid shortstop, while providing elite production at the plate.
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