Cody Snavely
For the first time since 2019, the Dodgers will not have Mookie Betts penciled in as the primary right fielder.
During the MLB Winter Meetings in December, Dave Roberts announced to the media that Betts would transition to second base, leaving right field open.
Betts, who started games at right field, second base, and shortstop in 2023, will be missed as in his career, Betts has won six gold gloves (2016-2020, 2022) and is a two-time Wilson Defensive Player of the Year winner (2016,2018).
Betts has statistically been one of the best defensive outfielders in all of baseball, posting a career of 143 Rdrs (Defensive runs saved above average). That is also not mentioning the production Betts puts up with the bat, which speaks for itself.
However, with the move, who are the Dodgers’ options for 2024?
The return of Jason Heyward
The Los Angeles Dodgers took a chance on veteran outfielder Jason Heyward last year after he was DFA’d by the Cubs.
Due to the DFA, the Dodgers were only on the hook for the league minimum salary ($720 thousand), which seemed like a win/win for both sides.
Heyward would be reunited with former teammate and great friend Freddie Freeman, who pushed Andrew Freidman and the Dodgers to pursue the former All-Star.
The Dodgers would reap the benefits as Jason Heyward was integral to the Dodgers lineup, outfield, and clubhouse.
Heyward put together a solid season for the Dodgers, hitting .269/.340/.473, .813 OPS and 117 OPS+. Heyward was primarily used in a platoon role for the Dodgers, facing right-handed pitchers.
The game plan for most of the year was Heyward would play RF against lefties while Betts would slot in at second. When a lefty would take the rubber, Heyward would likely sit entirely.
Heyward, 34, is entering his 15th season in the league and is still one of the premier defensive outfielders. Like Betts, Heyward has won five Gold Gloves and his own Wilson Defensive Player of the Year award.
Expect more of the same on defense for Heyward, as in 2023, he posted a plus-five DRS.
Contrary to popular belief, where many assumed Heyward was unproductive in the second half, he was borderline the same—hitting .254/.348/.463 in the first half and hitting .287/.329/.484 in the second.
The Dodgers were happy enough with the production as they quickly re-signed Heyward to a 1-year $9 million deal.
Regarding the 2024 season, expect Heyward to get the majority of starts in RF but will still be limited to a platoon role against right-handed pitchers. FanGraphs has Heyward projected to hit .248/.320/.410 with a wRC+ of 100.
Other options
With Heyward getting the bulk of starts in right field, he will still be limited to a platoon role. Which begs the question, who gets the other starts?
One option would be newly acquired outfielder Teoscar Hernández, who could pivot to RF from LF when facing left-handed starters. Hernández is a .275/.329/.557 with an OPS of .887 and OPS+ of 119 against left-handed pitching in his career.
While Mookie Betts is known to be the Dodgers’ primary second basemen, it will not be surprising to see him take a few starts, if needed, due to injury. Plus, he is already familiar with the position.
Other options could be utility players, Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernández, along with Dodgers’ top prospect Andy Pages, who is poised to make the big league club at some point in 2024.
The Dodgers outfield is extremely deep, and it will be interesting to see how they configure it throughout the season. Due to this, the right field grade remains high.
DODGERSBEAT GRADE B+
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