The Dodgers are primed for an 2024 incredible season, and they'll look to their superstar infielder, Mookie Betts, to do even more than previously expected.
Betts was appointed the Dodgers' second baseman in December. That changed last week, when the front office and manager Dave Roberts moved Betts to shortstop due to Gavin Lux's inefficiency this spring.
The move was purely for the sake of winning, at least according to Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes. Gomes appeared on "Home Plate" on MLB Network Radio and said that was the only reason for moving Lux to second and Betts to shortstop.
"With the mindset of winning us at the forefront, it was like, okay, let's do this now and try to get everybody into a rhythm as soon as possible."
The move came after Lux committed multiple fielding errors and short-hopped throws to first base at shortstop.
Although Betts has more experience as an outfielder in the majors, he was drafted as a shortstop and rose the minors as a second baseman. He moved to the outfield out of necessity during his time in Boston, where Dustin Pedroia was entrenched at second base.
For now, Betts will get to shine on a left side of the infield that needs more help than the right. We'll see how long this lasts. If Betts looks like he did in his 16 games at shortstop last season, they may have their shortstop for the time being.
It's unfortunate for Lux, who has played shortstop his entire life, not to play shortstop in his first full healthy season in the majors. Nonetheless, it's not in the cards for him right now — or maybe for a while — as Betts will look to take care of business.
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