Despite entering Spring Training with questions surrounding their 2023 outfield alignment, the Los Angeles Dodgers are set on Mookie Betts being their everyday right fielder.
However, the six-time All-Star doesn’t necessarily view that as his permanent position.
As Betts prepares at Camelback Ranch for his fourth season with Los Angeles, the former 2018 American League MVP has made it known he is willing to help the Dodgers win in any way he can. With that is a long-held interest in returning to second base.
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Betts regularly discusses playing second base with the Dodgers front office and coaches:
“I talk to them all the time about it,” Betts told The Athletic. “But eventually … I don’t know. They pay me to play right, and they said stay in right. After that? It kind of is what it is.”
Despite his arguable defensive prowess at any position on the diamond, Betts has only played three across his nine seasons in the Major Leagues: second base, center field and right field.
Although it’s evident Betts has interest in moving back to the infield dirt, it’s worth taking into account that out of the 319 games played for the Dodgers, he has made 286 appearances in right field, 31 in center field, and only 15 at second base.
Across six prior seasons with Boston Red Sox, Betts only saw 15 games at second base.
The Dodgers aren’t completely opposed to the 30-year-old playing the infield, however, as manager Dave Roberts has acknowledged it’s a means of helping ease the workload.
Mookie Betts adds muscle after Driveline visit
After being implored by the Dodgers to do so, Betts found himself this past offseason at Driveline in Seattle to work on his craft.
In addition to working on his swing amongst other elements of his game, Betts revealed that he added muscle per their suggestions.
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