The Los Angeles Dodgers will start the 2025 MLB season as the heavy favorites to repeat the title they won last year, and with the big signings they have made during the offseason, it is win again or nothing.
The new success story for the Los Angeles Dodgers began when they traded for one of the Boston Red Sox’s superstars, Mookie Betts, who already has two titles with Dave Roberts’ team.
Betts, a possible future Hall of Famer, has played shortstop for the Dodgers, and in an interview with USA Today he said he intends to stay in the same position.
“This is not like a revenge tour,” Betts said. “It’s about proving a lot of people wrong. But more than anything, it’s about proving myself right. For so many years, I just didn’t believe in myself.”
“Now I feel very prepared. I can go home and sleep without having to watch videos all day trying to figure things out. I’m giving it everything I’ve got so I can sleep at night knowing that my work prepared me for whatever might come up,” Betts added. “I know I can do it. I really do. I’m excited to prove people wrong.”
The Dodgers’ multiple options in the outfield
Last year, the Dodgers put Betts at shortstop and he had a spectacular start. But a mid-season injury put Miguel Rojas into action and Betts went to play in the outfield when he returned
Rojas was the shortstop for a few weeks until the Dodgers acquired Tommy Edman from the St. Louis Cardinals, and since then Edman and Rojas shared time at that position.
Meanwhile, Betts, Kike Hernandez and Andy Pages played in center field; Edman won the National League Championship Series MVP and re-signed with the Dodgers this offseason. While he is listed as their starting center fielder, Betts can be replaced at shortstop if things go wrong.
The Dodgers brought back Enrique Hernandez and Miguel Rojas is still on the team, so there are plenty of options in the middle infield even after the trade of Gavin Lux.
Hyeseong Kim is in town and ready to make his MLB debut, likely at second base. While Betts wants to prove people wrong, he shouldn’t worry about letting the team down. Their depth is the most underrated part of the team and can make up for any absence.
The problem here is that the Dodgers have no room for Betts in the outfield. Teoscar Hernandez and Michael Conforto are both corner outfielders and Betts has not played center field since 2021, making it an interesting decision for Roberts to make ahead of the start of the new MLB season.
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