As the Los Angeles Dodgers dealt with multiple injuries and inconsistent production that required platoons, one of the solutions entailed moving Mookie Betts to the infield on occasion.
Betts primarily played second base in those instances but also received some opportunities at shortstop. He reveled in being back on the infield dirt and made it clear shifting out of right field was not an issue.
After successful stints with that, the Dodgers now plan on having Betts be their everyday second baseman moving forward.
In an interview with John Hartung on SportsNet LA, Betts shared how much he’s looking forward to being back at second base and the confidence he has in Jason Heyward:
“Oh, man. I’m ecstatic about it. I’m super excited about it. But you know, I do what I can just to help the team win. We’ve got J-Hey out there, who’s got just as many Gold Gloves as I do, so we’re not really missing much out there in right field, for sure. We have a really good team and really good outfield. It’ll be a lot of fun to get to go back to my roots.”
Heyward first joined the Dodgers last offseason in a Minor League contract, which was a signing largely spurred by a vote of confidence from Freddie Freeman. Heyward fared well in his platoon role and re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year contract for the 2024 season.
Heyward figures to share time in right field with Manuel Margot, and potentially Chris Taylor as well.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers moving Betts to second base shores up an infield spot that was somewhat in flux last year once Miguel Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Vargas had been given the starting job and now faces some uncertainty over his immediate fit on the Dodgers roster.
Mookie Betts ranked best second baseman
Although Betts is heading into his first full season as a second baseman, he already has garnered plenty of notoriety.
The Shredder ranked Betts the best second baseman in baseball for the 2024 season, and he was also recognized as such on lists compiled by MLB Network analysts Mike Petriello, Sarah Langs and Vince Gennaro.
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