Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES — Unless your name is Nelson Cruz or JD Martinez, the role of full-time designated hitter is pretty much a dead letter in Major League Baseball. And with the implementation of the universal DH, the Dodgers are going to have a full menu of players to choose from when it comes to the position this year.
The one name you won’t see penciled in the DH spot: Albert Pujols. As lovable as he was last season, and legendary as his career has been, there was a reason why the Machine was still on the free agent market until March 27. He is just too limited at this point in his career. At best, he would have been a good bench presence and a good platoon DH against lefties, as well as an emergency first baseman. He’s going to fit in well back at Busch Stadium.
However, in the modern game, you simply have to have more tools on the toolbelt than that to stay in the Show. Plus, it was a whole lot easier to keep a vet like Pujols on the roster when the Angels were picking up the tab, as they were in 2022. So, Andrew Friedman’s decision not to sign Tio Albert for one more year is completely understandable, if still a little regrettable.
That said, let’s take a look at the menu board that Dave Roberts will be probably ordering from when it comes to the DH position this year.
AJ Pollock (2021: .297 AVG., 27 HR, 69 RBI)
UPDATE: AJ Pollock has been traded to the Chicago White Sox.
In a lot of the projected lineups that the baseball scribes have put out there in the wake of the Freeman acquisition, Pollock is listed as the DH. And I’m sure he will get his share of starts in that position. But don’t sleep on the guy’s defense in left. Though he’s lost a step or two from his Gold Glove days in Arizona, he can still pick it pretty good out there. In other words, I imagine he will be seeing at least half of his starts out in the field this year as well. However, to see a bat of his quality hitting in the nine hole? It is indeed a murderer’s row.
Max Muncy (2021: .249 AVG., 36 HR, 94 RBI)
I won’t go out on a limb on this, but I wouldn’t be surprise if Max doesn’t end up with the most starts at DH on the team this year. The reason? Not any knock on Max’s defense at first or second, which is more than adequate. It just seems like the right side of the infield is full of capable players this year, and I could see Max DH-ing simply because Doc wants to keep guys like Chris Taylor, Hanser Alberto and Gavin Lux fresh and get them their plate appearances to keep them contributing.
Justin Turner (2021: .278 AVG., 27 HR, 87 RBI)
I’m guessing we will also see a lot of JT at designated hitter this year as well. And I say this for two reasons. First, at 37, the Dodgers’ third baseman is getting up there in years, and probably could use a day a week off his feet. Second, of all the position players, Turner’s defense is probably the worst right now. He was never Nolan Arenado over there, but in recent years the drop-off in defense has been noticeable. Still, Turner brings a quality at-bat to the dish every time, and that is something the Dodgers need in the lineup.
Will Smith (2021: .258 AVG., 25 HR, 76 RBI)
Another player that will probably get his share of time at the DH position this season is Will Smith, simply because of the rigors of the position he plays. I’d imagine he’d be getting about 125-130 appearances at catcher this year, but Roberts needs his bat in the lineup even when Austin Barnes is calling the signals.
Edwin Rios (2021: .078 AVG., 1 HR, 1 RBI)
Rios is another candidate for this spot and a valuable asset on this team, a welcome return after last season that was basically a lost cause. Don’t even look at those 2021 numbers. My boy Edwin is raking in Spring Training, with an OPS well north of 1.000. If he can sustain that kind of production into the regular season, Roberts will have to figure out a way to get him in the lineup.
Others…
In addition, you might see Chris Taylor DH from time to time, and Gavin Lux could make some appearances against righties. Non-roster guys Kevin Pillar and Jake Lamb also might make it to the big club, and if they do, they might be called on to DH as well, although I imagine if Doc wanted to get those guys in the lineup, it would be in the field to give someone like Mookie Betts or Freddie Freeman a day off.
In other words, it’s going to be a very reassuring feeling when Dave Roberts looks down his bench before game time. “I’ve always been an advocate for the senior circuit, with the pitching changes and the double-switches,” he said in and interview on the Rich Eisen Show recently. “But with our roster,” he continued it alleviates a lot of friction because it opens up a spot for a guy to get four at bats in a night.” He will have half a dozen options or more. In the Eisen interview, he mentioned Turner, Smith, and Muncy, in particular, but went on to say, “Just to get guys off their feet (but) keep their bat in there probably makes the most sense with the way our roster is constructed.”
Barring injuries, the only thing that is going to be a challenge for Roberts this year is keeping all the star bats fresh and contributing and not rusting on the bench. But, like a lot of things with this Dodgers lineup, it’s a good problem to have.
DODGERSBEAT GRADE: A-
