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Dodgers Get Good News on Top Trade Target Who Would Send Mookie Betts Back to Outfield

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 3:20 PM ET

Dave Roberts noted on Tuesday that the Los Angeles Dodgers will continue to play Mookie Betts at shortstop.

Betts, one of the top outfielders in baseball when he was out there, has played well at shortstop. With the Dodgers' current roster, it makes sense to have him in the outfield, however.

This also gives the Dodgers a way to get creative at the trade deadline.

With a report suggesting that the team was interested in landing Luis Robert Jr. a few weeks ago, perhaps they’ll look to reignite those talks in the coming weeks before the end of July.

It seems all but guaranteed that he’ll be dealt.

Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report recently predicted that Robert would be traded, stating that a team will have to hope he figures things out offensively.

“Even Robert is aware of how much he's tanked his value, as he's only fallen further after a career-worst season in 2024. Yet he's still only 27, and both the bat speed and the foot speed are still there. Maybe he'll never be the 38-homer slugger from 2023 again, but a team could acquire him and hope there will be nowhere to go but up after the change of scenery,” he wrote.

A few years ago, Robert looked to be a potential star in Major League Baseball.

Making Betts play shortstop for him to play the outfield makes sense, but the Dodgers have to be careful here.

Not only has Rober had his injury concerns, only playing over 100 games once in his six-year career, but he posted an 86 OPS+ last season and has an OPS+ of 58 this campaign.

With strikeout concerns, injury worries, and much more, Robert is far from a perfect player.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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