By Flashnews The job’s finished as far as 2024 is concerned. But with the Dodgers bidding to repeat as World Series champions — an elusive feat in both recent and franchise history — the real work is just beginning.
No team has had back-to-back titles since the Yankees won three in a row from 1998-2000. None of the Dodgers’ eight championships came in consecutive years. The question is not whether to go for it, but rather how to go about it.
General manager Brandon Gomes gave one indication of a change that should have intriguing ripple effects for the Dodgers, announcing that Mookie Betts will likely move back to the infield and play either second base or shortstop in 2025.
“For Mookie, winning is always No. 1,” Gomes said on Wednesday at the General Managers Meetings. “So I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s like, ‘Hey, this is the best thing. I’ll play wherever.’ I think catching is probably out of the realm of possibility, although I’m sure he would be good at that as well.
“But yeah, I think it’s a lot of conversations with him as well. I know the toll on the body is less in the infield for him. So you can make arguments on both sides of it. But the beauty of Mookie is [he’s] the most selfless superstar we’ve ever been around. And that permeates through the team.”
six-time Gold Glove Award winner in right field, Betts entered Spring Training last year expecting to move to second base. But following Gavin Lux’s defensive struggles to start the spring, Betts instead shifted over and became Los Angeles’ everyday shortstop entering the regular season.
Betts remained at shortstop until he When he returned nearly two months later, Betts was initially expected to resume his shortstop duties, but manager Dave Roberts reversed course at the last minute and instead moved Betts back to right field.
Miguel Rojas handled the majority of the shortstop reps down the stretch before Trade Deadline acquisition and NLCS MVP Tommy Edman took over the starting job for much of the postseason.
Betts’ return to the infield gives L.A. flexibility in upgrading other parts of the roster, particularly the outfield. Edman and Lux are still under club control and Rojas’ option for 2025 was exercised, so the Dodgers could consider trading from their surplus of middle infielders.