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Dodgers: Should the Dodgers trade for Mookie Betts this off-season?

By Michael Wittman

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox runs to first base during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox runs to first base during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 28: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox hits a sixth inning home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Why the Dodgers should trade for Mookie Betts

Switching things up from the obvious, that Mookie Betts can flat out hit, let us start with his defense that is underappreciated.  Mookie is once again a finalist for the American League gold glove in right field and he has won a gold glove in each of the last three seasons.

Not only can Betts play right field, but he has also played centerfield and second base in the past so he features one of the traits that the Dodgers’ front office loves, versatility.  The Dodgers could keep Betts in right field and play Cody Bellinger in centerfield with Verdugo in left.  That would give LA an outfield with two gold glove finalists and another very good fielder in Alex Verdugo.

Back to the offensive side of things, Mookie Betts would help end platoons in the Dodger outfield as he is elite against both left and right-handed pitching.  Over the last three seasons, Mookie has posted an OPS of .977 against southpaws and .907 against right-handers.  Betts would give the Dodgers two elite sluggers in Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts in addition to Max Muncy who is not quite a star but he is a very good hitter.

Like Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts would also give the Dodgers another 30-30 candidate.  While Cody has yet to put an emphasis on stealing bases, Betts had a 30-30 season in 2018 although his stolen base amount fell to 16 in 2019.   One way to improve the Dodger offense for 2020 is to inject more speed into the lineup and adding Mookie Betts would do that.

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