Miguel Vargas has had a very interesting 2024 season for the Los Angeles Dodgers to say the least. Coming into Spring Training, he was in the process of learning a new position as Mookie Betts’ permanent switch to second base kicked Vargas out of his spot.
The Dodgers valued Vargas’ bat, but didn’t have anywhere to play him and thus he made the transition to left field. This process continued during the regular season as Vargas started 2024 with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
He later earned a promotion to the Dodgers on May 17 following Max Muncy’s placement on the injured list, but he was sent back down when the team traded for Cavan Biggio. Only to then be called back up five days later.
In the present, the team has been without their Opening Day third baseman Muncy for a little over two months now and has struggled to find a suitable replacement. The trio of Biggio, Kiké Hernández, and Chris Taylor has not been enough to fill the void during Muncy’s increasingly prolonged absence.
They also lost Taylor and Miguel Rojas to the injured list, further depleting their infield depth.
However, it seems that there is at least one other option available other than potentially adding a piece via trade. Vargas has shown more offensive potential than any of the Dodgers’ current options that they’ve been deploying and thus the team has been giving him practice reps at third base this month to see if he could make the switch.
According to manager Dave Roberts, Vargas could see time at third base very soon, via David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports:
Dave Roberts said we may see Miguel Vargas play third base in a game as soon as tomorrow. #Dodgers
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) July 27, 2024
Despite the hectic nature of changing positions during the back-half of the season, there is reason to be optimistic about Vargas’ chances.
He was primarily a third baseman as he worked his way through the Dodgers’ system up until he made the switch as the team’s Opening Day second baseman in 2023. He was even the No. 5 ranked third baseman by MLB Pipeline last season before he made the switch to second base.
There is also some reason for concern, however, as the Dodgers moved him off the position due to his inability to play it effectively, and he now hasn’t played there in quite some time.
Either way, it’s an interesting scenario for the Dodgers to test out.
Could Miguel Vargas need a new position after trade deadline?
The Dodgers moving Vargas back to the infield could also be a sign that their rumored interest in acquiring outfield help at the trade deadline is real, which would leave Vargas without a spot in the lineup yet again.
Outfield production has been a major concern for the Dodgers this season, and the defense out there has not provided much optimism to offset the poor defense.
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