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This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
LOS ANGELES — With the Dodgers starting the season with two games in Seoul, South Korea, against the Padres, they’re set to arrive at Camelback Ranch in less than four weeks to prepare for the now much-anticipated 2024 season.
Before that happens, however, we’ll take an in-depth, position-by-position look at the Dodgers and how they’ll look in ‘24. Because there are still some acquisitions left to be made this winter, we’ll continue with a position that likely won’t see any more additions: Infielders.
The starters: Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy
When Spring Training gets going, there won’t be any competition in the Dodgers’ infield. Freeman is one of the best first baseman of his generation and will continue to hit atop Los Angeles’ lineup after posting one of his best seasons in 2023.
Betts finally got his wish of playing more second base last season and that’s only expected to increase in ‘24. With the Dodgers re-signing Jason Heyward and signing Teoscar Hernández, it all lines up for Betts, the National League MVP runner-up, to be the Dodgers’ everyday second baseman.
Muncy signed a two-year extension with the Dodgers this offseason and will be the team’s third baseman for a third consecutive season. In ‘22, Muncy played solid defense at the position. Last season, however, Muncy had a tough start defensively and also struggled late in the season. Muncy, of course, is on the roster to produce at the plate, so as long as he hits, it’ll all be forgotten.
Shortstop will be interesting this spring. Last season, Lux earned the opportunity to be the team’s starting shortstop after sitting behind Corey Seager and Trea Turner for years. Lux’s season, however, ended in a Cactus League game as he suffered a gruesome right knee injury that resulted in a torn ACL, LCL and severe damage to his hamstring. Lux has been working out at Dodger Stadium this winter and projects to be fully healthy going into the season. If he continues to prove to be healthy, he’ll get the majority of reps at short.
Who backs them up?: Miguel Rojas, Chris Taylor
Rojas did a really solid job stepping in once Lux went down with his injury. The Venezuelan shortstop plays elite defense at the position and has plenty of experience playing every day. But Rojas didn’t provide much offensively, which has been the case most of his career, and the Dodgers could benefit from getting more production out of their shortstop. That’s why Lux will get every look, but there’s a real luxury in having a defensive-minded player like Rojas ready to step in.
Taylor has played mostly outfield over the last few seasons, but he can step in at second or third whenever needed. He could also play some shortstop. With Taylor not having a set position on the team, he’ll go back to his super utility role, which has made him a very valuable piece throughout his tenure with the Dodgers.
Down in the farm: Miguel Vargas, Trey Sweeney
The Dodgers don’t have many reinforcements in the Minors heading into the season. Vargas was the team’s starting second baseman coming out of camp last season, but he struggled to get going at the plate and was sent back down to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Vargas could push for a spot on the bench with a big spring, but it’s more likely that he will start in the Minors in order to get everyday at-bats. Sweeney was acquired in a deal with the Yankees this winter and is still a ways away, but played 100 games in Double-A in ‘23.
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