Last offseason the Los Angeles Dodgers made a somewhat surprising decision to move Mookie Betts to second base on a full-time basis despite his ability as a Gold Glove-caliber right fielder.
Betts’ position change was attributed to both his interest in playing second base and the Dodgers’ goal to keep him healthy for the remainder of a long-term contract signed in 2020. Plans were adjusted in Spring Training, however, as Gavin Lux’s struggles prompted a flip over to second base and Betts taking on shortstop.
There were mixed results before Betts suffered a left hand fracture and ultimately returned to play right field.
Now as the Dodgers navigate another offseason with multiple roster needs, general manager Brandon Gomes indicated Betts would be playing the infield at the start of the 2025 season, with it still to be decided if that’s going to come at second base or shortstop.
But even with an expected change, Gomes noted Betts moving back to the infield has not been permanently decided on, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
Now, however, the club’s “assumption,” as Gomes put it, is that Betts will return to the dirt next season, though exactly how that will look is not yet “set in stone.”
“I know the toll on the body is less in the infield for him,” Gomes said of Betts, a 32-year-old veteran with six career Gold Gloves in right field. “But the beauty of Mookie is [he’s] the most selfless superstar we’ve ever been around. And that permeates through the team.”
Betts embraced the learning curve at shortstop and regularly was going through drills hours before each game. There was some belief — though not in Betts’ eyes — that the extra work negatively impacted performance at the plate.
Betts also admitted learning to play shortstop at the Major League level was one of the hardest challenges he’s ever encountered.
The eight-time All-Star was lauded throughout the year by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and teammates for his willingness to play any position that best suited the club.
Dodgers’ impact of Mookie Betts playing infield
If Betts moves to second base, it would significantly change Gavin Lux’s role. The Dodgers don’t figure to try Lux at shortstop again next year, which would suggest being traded or shifted into a bench role because of Betts’ position change.
Should Betts play shortstop, that would likely push Tommy Edman into a starting role at center field and keep Miguel Rojas in a bench role.
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