The Los Angeles Dodgers have been faced with multiple troubles to begin the 2023 season, but arguably none have been greater than their shortstop position.
Gavin Lux entered Spring Training as the starter, but after suffering a torn ACL and LCL, Miguel Rojas was pushed into the everyday role. However, he has dealt with multiple leg issues, including a left hamstring strain that sent him to the 10-day injured list. Backup Chris Taylor just returned after missing a stretch of games due to a left oblique issue.
Without their top four shortstop options, the Dodgers selected the contract of Luke Williams from Triple-A Oklahoma City and also gave Mookie Betts some time at the position, but neither appears to be a more permanent solution.
With their issues at shortstop, it could make sense for the Dodgers to pursue another option, including free agent José Iglesias, but they are reportedly not interested in adding any of the available players, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
Even with their options thin, the club is not expected to show much interest in a veteran option such as José Iglesias, the slick-fielding shortstop who opted out of a minor-league deal with the Marlins on Thursday to seek big-league opportunities.
The Dodgers almost assuredly don’t see any upside in bringing on Iglesias, or any other free-agent shortstop, compared to who they already have. Iglesias is a career .279/.319/.382 hitter with an 87 wRC+, which is far below Taylor’s career numbers and about the same as Rojas’ averages.
It should also be telling that the Miami Marlins could not find room on their roster for Iglesias to keep him from opting out.
Taylor presumably will see most of his time at shortstop, but he is also an important piece for the Dodgers’ outfield platoon mix. Given their depth of outfielders and lack of infielders, they may turn to Betts more often in the infield.
Regardless of who is healthy, Betts may be the Dodgers’ best option to start at shortstop, which would also allow them to improve their offense and make room for prospect Michael Busch, but it seems unlikely they would go in that direction.
Betts: playing shortstop for Dodgers a ‘dream come true’
Although it may not be their preferred choice, Betts playing shortstop full-time can’t be totally rolled out as it felt like a “dream come true” for him.
That would leave the Dodgers with a mix of Trayce Thompson, Jason Heyward, David Peralta and Taylor to start next to James Outman. Busch could also be an option to mix in or start in left field if they decide to call him up.
That would also allow Rojas to go back into the utility role that the club expected of him, mixing in at all four infield spots and left field.
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