The Los Angeles Dodgers are clinging to a two-game lead in the National League West over their rivals, the San Diego Padres. They have won four games in a row. However, this season has been far from easy for the Boys in Blue. They’ve struggled to stay healthy, had offensive lulls, and inexplicable defensive lapses. The question is, are they content with the status quo, or will there be changes in the coming weeks with an eye to the postseason? Namely, would they consider a position change for Mookie Betts back to right field to shore up their defense?
Dodgers Could Consider a Position Change for Mookie Betts
As They Are
There is no question that Mookie Betts has had some growing pains at shortstop over the last couple of years. The greatest challenge has been learning the different arm angles at first base. However, he has transformed himself into an above-average shortstop. But some have openly wondered if it hasn’t taken a toll on his offensive numbers. This has been the worst season at the plate for the perennial All-Star. The career .280 hitter has had a batting average that dipped into the .230s. In recent days, the offense has been on the upswing, and the average has climbed to .247 with a couple of home runs. The Dodgers are hoping the upward trend continues. It is hard to see Los Angeles making a deep October run without significant offensive contributions from Betts.
Mookie Betts is gonna change the narrative of this season.
— Nick (@talkingbluenick) August 26, 2025
Are the Corner Outfielders a Defensive Liability?
It has been said that defense wins championships…or loses them. To their credit, in recent years, the Dodgers have been near the top of baseball in defensive efficiency. Unfortunately, they are in the middle of the pack for that stat for 2025. Teoscar Hernández and Michael Conforto have been underwhelming at best in their positions. Both are primarily known more for their offensive numbers. However, both have struggled mightily at the plate. Hernández’s year has been marred by injuries, but whatever the case, their defensive miscues have been magnified this year.
Proposing Solutions
The most obvious solution for now, if Mookie Betts moves to right field, is that Teoscar would be in left field. He was there last year and had better offensive numbers. Andy Pages would keep patrolling center. And, depending on who was on the mound, the Dodgers could platoon Conforto and new arrival Alex Call in right. Miguel Rojas and Kiké Hernández would man shortstop. Would the Dodgers consider it? Barring injuries, probably not. If they wanted to make these changes, they would have already been done.
Getting Healthy
Now that Kiké is back, he will probably get some time at third base when Max Muncy and Tommy Edman return in September. It greatly increases the Dodgers’ flexibility as they can move players around. Tommy and Kike will share time in center field, and Los Angeles could move Pages to a corner outfield as the need arises.
In Short
President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman has made it clear the Dodgers will sink or swim with the stars they have. This likely means that Mookie remains at short. We will see if that strategy pays off in the postseason.
Main Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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