4: 53 PM UTC
This epic used to be excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat newsletter. To study the total newsletter, click on right here. And subscribe to get it typically for your inbox.
LOS ANGELES — With the Dodgers starting up the season with two video games in Seoul, South Korea, against the Padres, they’re put to approach at Camelback Ranch in lower than four weeks to put up for the now mighty-anticipated 2024 season.
Before that happens, nonetheless, we’ll non-public an in-depth, put of residing-by-put of residing stumble on at the Dodgers and how they’ll stumble on in ‘24. Because there are serene some acquisitions left to be made this iciness, we’ll proceed with a put of residing that seemingly won’t search for from now on additions: Infielders.
The starters: Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy
When Spring Coaching gets going, there won’t be any competition within the Dodgers’ infield. Freeman is with out doubt among the one first baseman of his period and ought to serene proceed to hit atop Los Angeles’ lineup after posting one of his only seasons in 2023.
Muncy signed a two-one year extension with the Dodgers this offseason and ought to serene be the group’s third baseman for a third consecutive season. In ‘22, Muncy carried out solid protection at the put of residing. Closing season, nonetheless, Muncy had a strong delivery defensively and additionally struggled late within the season. Muncy, pointless to utter, is on the roster to originate at the plate, so as prolonged as he hits, it’ll all be forgotten.
Shortstop shall be attention-grabbing this spring. Closing season, Lux earned the opportunity to be the group’s starting up shortstop after sitting behind Corey Seager and Trea Turner for years. Lux’s season, nonetheless, led to a Cactus League sport as he suffered a grotesque right knee ruin that resulted in a torn ACL, LCL and extreme ruin to his hamstring. Lux has been knowing at Dodger Stadium this iciness and projects to be totally healthy going into the season. If he continues to demonstrate to be healthy, he’ll get the bulk of reps at brief.
Who backs them up?: Miguel Rojas, Chris Taylor
Rojas did a truly solid job stepping in as soon as Lux went down alongside with his ruin. The Venezuelan shortstop performs elite protection at the put of residing and has heaps of ride taking half in on each day basis. But Rojas didn’t provide mighty offensively, which has been the case most of his profession, and the Dodgers could get pleasure from getting more production out of their shortstop. That’s why Lux will get every stumble on, but there’s a valid luxury in having a defensive-minded player fancy Rojas ready to step in.
Taylor has carried out largely outfield over the closing few seasons, but he can step in at 2d or third at any time when wanted. He could additionally play some shortstop. With Taylor no longer having a put put of residing on the group, he’ll proceed motivate to his natty utility feature, which has made him a truly precious portion throughout his tenure with the Dodgers.
Down within the farm: Miguel Vargas, Trey Sweeney
The Dodgers don’t possess many reinforcements within the Minors heading into the season. Vargas used to be the group’s starting up 2d baseman popping out of camp closing season, but he struggled to get going at the plate and used to be despatched motivate down to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Vargas could push for a field on the bench with a expansive spring, nonetheless it’s more seemingly that he’ll delivery within the Minors in stutter to get everyday at-bats. Sweeney used to be bought in a selection out the Yankees this iciness and is serene a ways away, but carried out 100 video games in Double-A in ‘23.
