This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat publication. To learn the total publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it recurrently in your inbox.
LOS ANGELES — With the Dodgers beginning the season with two video games in Seoul, South Korea, towards the Padres, they’re set to reach at Camelback Ranch in lower than 4 weeks to arrange for the now much-anticipated 2024 season.
Earlier than that occurs, nonetheless, we’ll take an in-depth, position-by-position take a look at the Dodgers and the way they’ll look in ‘24. As a result of there are nonetheless some acquisitions left to be made this winter, we’ll proceed with a place that possible received’t see any extra additions: Infielders.
The starters: Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy
When Spring Coaching will get going, there received’t be any competitors within the Dodgers’ infield. Freeman is among the greatest first baseman of his technology and can proceed to hit atop Los Angeles’ lineup after posting one in every of his greatest seasons in 2023.
Muncy signed a two-year extension with the Dodgers this offseason and would be the staff’s third baseman for a 3rd consecutive season. In ‘22, Muncy performed strong protection on the place. Final season, nonetheless, Muncy had a tricky begin defensively and in addition struggled late within the season. Muncy, after all, is on the roster to provide on the plate, so so long as he hits, it’ll all be forgotten.
Shortstop shall be fascinating this spring. Final season, Lux earned the chance to be the staff’s beginning shortstop after sitting behind Corey Seager and Trea Turner for years. Lux’s season, nonetheless, led to a Cactus League recreation as he suffered a ugly proper knee harm that resulted in a torn ACL, LCL and extreme injury to his hamstring. Lux has been understanding at Dodger Stadium this winter and initiatives to be totally wholesome going into the season. If he continues to show to be wholesome, he’ll get nearly all of reps at brief.
Who backs them up?: Miguel Rojas, Chris Taylor
Rojas did a extremely strong job stepping in as soon as Lux went down together with his harm. The Venezuelan shortstop performs elite protection on the place and has loads of expertise enjoying day by day. However Rojas didn’t present a lot offensively, which has been the case most of his profession, and the Dodgers may gain advantage from getting extra manufacturing out of their shortstop. That’s why Lux will get each look, however there’s an actual luxurious in having a defensive-minded participant like Rojas able to step in.
Taylor has performed principally outfield over the previous few seasons, however he can step in at second or third each time wanted. He may additionally play some shortstop. With Taylor not having a set place on the staff, he’ll return to his tremendous utility position, which has made him a really worthwhile piece all through his tenure with the Dodgers.
Down within the farm: Miguel Vargas, Trey Sweeney
The Dodgers don’t have many reinforcements within the Minors heading into the season. Vargas was the staff’s beginning second baseman popping out of camp final season, however he struggled to get going on the plate and was despatched again all the way down to Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis.
Vargas may push for a spot on the bench with an enormous spring, nevertheless it’s extra possible that he’ll begin within the Minors so as to get on a regular basis at-bats. Sweeney was acquired in a take care of the Yankees this winter and remains to be a methods away, however performed 100 video games in Double-A in ‘23.
