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Dodgers' Mookie Betts Sends Clear Message About Latest Position Change

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Jun 7, 2025 8:20 AM ET

For the first time in a long time, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts looks, dare we say it, mortal.

Lost amid Shohei Ohtani's latest incredible season is Betts' relatively quiet numbers, at least by his standards. Betts owns a .268 average with eight home runs, 32 RBI, and a .752 OPS through 251 plate appearances.

Although Betts is already worth 2.0 bWAR, he's on track for career lows in average and OPS. He's also only mustered six doubles, putting him in jeopardy of his fewest doubles since his 2014 rookie campaign.

Could it be Father Time sneaking up on the 32-year-old slugger? Whatever it is, Betts shot down the idea that his full-time move to shortstop has impacted his swing.

"Last year, I think I was about to win MVP," Betts told reporters. For the record, Betts finished 13th in NL MVP voting, his lowest finish since 2021.

"I was doing way more work last year than now," the eight-time All-Star continued. "So, no, that's not the case. ... There's no excuses. It's just a matter of me getting it done."

After primarily playing right field from 2016-23, Betts split last season between shortstop, the outfield, and second base. He's exclusively played shortstop thus far.

Betts indeed got it done on Friday night, going 3-for-4 in a 5-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Neither Betts nor manager Dave Roberts have signaled he could switch positions again. Tommy Edman has posted 1.4 bWAR and a .748 OPS as the Dodgers' starting second baseman, and Roberts appears committed to keeping the struggling Michael Conforto in left field.

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

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