Betts on the Hot Seat: Dodgers $49 Million Addition Raises Questions About Mookie Betts
The Los Angeles Dodgers are at risk of losing one of their best right-handed bats in free agency. They could replace him with a player that can impact the future of Mookie Betts.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal noted that the Dodgers are “exploring” right-handed options to replace Teoscar Hernández should he leave Los Angeles for a different team. Rosenthal suggested that the Dodgers could sign Ha-Seong Kim, once again changing their plans for Betts defensively.
“Kim won a Gold Glove as a utility man with the San Diego Padres in 2023, and it’s difficult to imagine the Dodgers would not want him at short once he was healthy,” wrote Rosenthal. “If Betts stayed in the infield, Edman presumably would play center, joining an outfield mix that also could include Michael Conforto, Chris Taylor, Andy Pages and James Outman.”
The Dodgers announced their plan to move Betts back to shortstop. They also extended utilityman Tommy Edman who is likely going to primarily play in the outfield. However, bringing Kim into the mix would mean the Dodgers have a better option than Betts at shortstop. Offensively, Kim and Betts are not comparable. However, defensively, Kim has won a Gold Glove as a utility man and has a plus-13 outs above average at shortstop.
Kim would all but force the Dodgers to move Betts back to second base. Having Kim plugged in at shortstop might also open the Dodgers to the idea of Edman playing second base, where he won a Gold Glove in 2021, and move Betts back to the outfield. Regardless, Kim’s bat could be a solid replacement for Hernández while also upgrading the Dodgers defense.
Spotrac projects Kim to sign a four-y $49 million deal in free agency. He would also be a cheaper right-handed option than Hernández.
