Dodgers: Second Base Upgrades the Dodgers Should Target
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.