Cody Snavely
The 2023 MLB season has been over for almost two months, with the Texas Rangers winning it all in 2023. However, award season is still in full swing. While the 2023 Dodgers did not accomplish their ultimate goal, their regular season was not one to forget, specifically for Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Due to their excellent seasons, which saw them finish 2nd and 3rd in NL MVP voting, they have made the All-MLB First Team.
Betts gets second All-MLB First Team honors with LA
Mookie Betts was arguably the Dodgers’ most valuable player in 2023, whether with the bat or his versatility on defense. This marks Betts’ fourth All-MLB Team selection and his second with the Dodgers (2020, 2022), his best overall season since his 2018 AL MVP campaign.
Betts had a slash line of .307/.408/.579 with a 163 OPS+ and set a career-high with 39 home runs and 107 RBIs from the leadoff spot. These numbers also earned him his third career Silver Slugger award and, as mentioned, 2nd in NL MVP voting behind Ronald Acuna Jr’s historic season.
However, Betts brought the most value due to his defensive versatility, allowing the Dodgers to shift him around the diamond. Betts, a six-time Gold Glove winner in RF, moved to the infield, taking starts at 2B and SS for the Dodgers. This allowed Betts to throw in the WAR (Wins Above Replacement) column and Jason Heyward to start in RF against LHP. The move worked so well in 2023 that Dave Roberts has confirmed that Betts will be the Dodgers primary 2B for the 2024 season.
Freeman makes first All-MLB First Team with LA
The Dodgers’ big two in their line-up was a historic combo, with Betts and Freeman finishing two and three in the NL MVP race. Freeman solidified his case as the best overall first baseman in 2023, having a slash line of .331/.410/.567 with 29 homers, 102 RBIs, a 161 OPS+, and an MLB-leading 59 doubles. Speaking of those doubles, Freeman was four away from the most 2B hits in MLB history and hit the most since 2000, where Todd Helton also had 59.
Freeman was pivotal in the Dodgers line-up, flexing power, speed, and above-average defense. While Betts had the more “sexy” numbers, you could argue that Freeman was the most consistent hitter in the Dodgers line-up throughout the 2023 season.
The newest Dodger Ohtani also made the cut
Newly acquired Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani also cut the All-MLB First Team twice—one as a pitcher and the other as a DH. While his historic MVP campaign was with the cross-league rival Angels, it should still excite Dodgers fans in the future as Ohtani, after 2024, intends to pitch and hit again.
Conclusion
While the Dodgers, as mentioned, did not get the job done in 2023, Betts and Freeman’s regular season success was one for the record books. However, with the 2023 year winding down and 2024 on the horizon, Betts, Freeman, and Ohtani would probably like to end the year as World Champions rather than the All-MLB First Team.
