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Dodgers: Second Base Upgrades the Dodgers Should Target

By Michael Wittman |
TOKYO, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 08: Infielder Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after strike out in teh top of 8th inning during the exhibition game between Yomiuri Giants and the MLB All Stars at Tokyo Dome on November 8, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 08: Infielder Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after strike out in teh top of 8th inning during the exhibition game between Yomiuri Giants and the MLB All Stars at Tokyo Dome on November 8, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
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TOKYO, JAPAN – NOVEMBER 08: Infielder Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after strike out in teh top of 8th inning during the exhibition game between Yomiuri Giants and the MLB All Stars at Tokyo Dome on November 8, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – NOVEMBER 08: Infielder Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after strike out in teh top of 8th inning during the exhibition game between Yomiuri Giants and the MLB All Stars at Tokyo Dome on November 8, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images) /

The Dodgers ran through a plethora of second basemen during their 2018 run back to the World Series.  It’s time for the Dodgers to pursue a full-time second baseman.

The Dodgers didn’t have many “full-time” position players in 2018 due to their platoon approach.  The Dodgers ran through Chris Taylor, Kiké Hernandez, Brian Dozier, and Logan Forsythe among others in 2018.  The Dodgers ended the World Series still in search of a player who can hold down second base against right and left-handed pitching.

The Dodgers could go with a platoon of Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernandez at second base in 2019 but that would be aiming low.  If the Dodgers want to get over their World Series hump, they need to upgrade several positions on their roster and second base is one of the main positions.  While Taylor and Hernandez have significant value to the Dodgers due to their versatility, they are more valuable filling in all over the field.  Here are some upgrades the Dodgers should pursue for second base.

KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 29: Whit Merrifield #15 of the Kansas City Royals hits a home run in the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Kauffman Stadium on August 29, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. Merrifield’s home run ended the the Royals’ 45 inning scoreless steak. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 29: Whit Merrifield #15 of the Kansas City Royals hits a home run in the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Kauffman Stadium on August 29, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. Merrifield’s home run ended the the Royals’ 45 inning scoreless steak. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

Whit Merrifield – Kansas City Royals

In order to upgrade on Chris Taylor, the Dodgers could pursue the upgraded version of Chris Taylor.  Like Taylor, Whit Merrifield is capable of playing all over the infield and outfield, but Merrifield is a better hitter.  Whit Merrifield hit .304 this season with 12 home runs after knocking 19 home runs out of the park a season ago.

Besides hitting for a better average, the other big difference between Chris Taylor and Whit Merrifield is speed.  This season, Merrifield swiped 45 bases after stealing 34 in 2017.  The Dodgers have not had a leadoff hitter who is a legit base stealer in a while so this could be a big upgrade for the Dodgers in the speed department.  Merrifield is under control for four more seasons so he won’t be cheap to acquire.

The other upgrade that Whit would provide is that he is a better defensive second baseman than Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernandez.  While Taylor and Hernandez provided negative value in advanced defensive statistics, Merrifield had a DRS of 8 this season.  The number one second base trade upgrade for the Dodgers is Whit Merrifield.

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 25: Scooter Gennett #3 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a tripple in the 7th inning against the Kansas City Royals at Great American Ball Park on September 25, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 25: Scooter Gennett #3 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a tripple in the 7th inning against the Kansas City Royals at Great American Ball Park on September 25, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Scooter Gennett – Cincinnati Reds

If the Dodgers are looking to acquire a second baseman who slugs, they can try to pick off one of Turner Ward’s new toys.  The Reds are in rebuild mode and would love to acquire a few of the Dodgers prospects in return for Scooter Gennett.  While Gennett is known for his bat, he still ranked better defensively than CT3 and Kiké in 2018.

Gennett is a career .289 hitter who slugged 23 home runs after slugging 27 home runs a season ago.  While Scooter may play in a hitter-friendly ballpark, he hit 13 home runs on the road this season compared to 10 at the Great American Ballpark.  Scooter Gennett will be a free agent after the 2019 season, so his cost will not be enormous since the Dodgers would only be guaranteed one year of control.

SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 28: Jean Segura #2 of the Seattle Mariners watches the ball fly to right field, which would be dropped on an error by Nomar Mazara #30 of the Texas Rangers to score three in the second inning at Safeco Field on September 28, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 28: Jean Segura #2 of the Seattle Mariners watches the ball fly to right field, which would be dropped on an error by Nomar Mazara #30 of the Texas Rangers to score three in the second inning at Safeco Field on September 28, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

Jean Segura – Seattle Mariners

The Mariners front office stated in recent days that they were going to look to overhaul their roster as they prepare for a complete rebuild.  This means the Mariners will likely be entertaining offers for Jean Segura.  The Dodgers should know Segura very well as he was on the Arizona Diamondbacks prior to being traded for Tajuan Walker.

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Segura is going to have a moderate prospect cost since he is under control through the 2022 season with a 17 million dollar option for the 2023 season.  Segura will make about 15 million a season which is the going rate for a top quality middle infielder.  If the Dodgers are willing to eat all the money that would drive down the prospect cost to acquire Segura.

While Jean was a shortstop with the Mariners, he can also play second base.  The upside with acquiring Segura is that he can fill in at shortstop for Corey Seager on his off days.  The Dodgers will likely ease Seager in to begin the season with their quality depth.  This season Jean Segura hit .304 with ten home runs and twenty stolen bases.

Segura is another second base trade candidate who would give the Dodgers the best leadoff hitter they’ve had in years to go along with plus speed.  While Segura has stolen as many as 44 bases, a safe expectation is 20-25 stolen bases a year.  Add that to his .287 career average and 10-15 home run potential and the Dodgers would have an enormous upgrade if they acquired Jean Segura.

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While the contract may scare away some teams, the Dodgers can easily afford Segura’s contract and it only goes on for four more season which fits the front office’s philosophy of shorter-term deals.  After Whit Merrifield, Jean Segura may be the Dodgers’ best second base trade target.

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