After a disappointing playoff exit, Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the team would evaluate how to improve in pursuit of winning the 2023 World Series.
Friedman did not offer specifics, but the Dodgers have already been linked to Aaron Judge. Making such a splash in free agency would have a domino effect that likely involves Mookie Betts, and perhaps to a lesser degree, Cody Bellinger as well.
Judge has primarily played right field but also appeared in 102 career games (96 starts) in center field, including 78 (74 starts) there this season.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Betts is willing to move to second base and would do so if the Dodgers signed Judge in free agency:
Betts has been the Dodgers’ everyday right fielder since he joined the team in 2020, but the 30-year-old was drafted as a second baseman and, according to a source, would be open to a move back to the infield at some point during his career.
The Boston Red Sox drafted Betts as a second baseman, but he played the position sparingly during his six seasons with the team. Betts started once at second base during the 2020 season, then moved to the infield for seven games (five starts) in each of the past two seasons.
The Dodgers viewed moving Betts to second base as a means of managing his health. That was particularly paramount last season as he played through hip trouble caused by a bone spur.
Mookie Betts ‘really’ enjoys second base
Despite being arguably the best defensive right fielder in baseball, Betts has not hidden his affinity for second base.
“Being able to play second base is kind of something I’ve been doing my whole life,” he said during the season. “Getting to go back there’s just a lot of fun for me personally.
“I really, really do enjoy it, but they pay me to catch these fly balls.”
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