Dodgers: Five options if MLB institutes universal designated hitter

As Major League Baseball considers instituting a universal designated hitter for the 2020 season, let’s explore some options for the Dodgers.

Everything seems to be on the table as Major League Baseball owners, players and league officials plan for a potential 2020 season to be played in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic.

MLB is expected to present a proposal to the leaders of all 30 teams and the players this week that would outline a tentative framework to play a 78- or 82-game schedule beginning in early July with competition between teams limited to geographic regions.

As part of that proposal, MLB will suggest a universal designated hitter for the 2020 season, which is expected to be easily approved.

Lucky for the Dodgers, they are better positioned than many National League clubs to account for an extra bat in their lineup. As one of the deepest benches in baseball, they should have no problem finding someone to fill in for the pitcher’s spot. The more difficult challenge might be deciding who gets the majority of at-bats at DH.

Traditionalists can scoff at the idea of the designated hitter coming to the Senior Circuit, and they would probably be right to worry that once MLB decides to try it out, it might never go away. But there’s no better opportunity to test it out than over a crazy, shortened season that 2020 will have to represent if games are to be played.

As a universal DH seems like a real possibility, let’s review the best options for the Dodgers, starting with the players who would be suited to gain a majority of their at-bats in the new role.

Max Muncy

The best option at designated hitter might be a player who already plays everyday at first base. Max Muncy is an ideal DH candidate as a power hitter who isn’t exactly known for his defense.

The Dodgers have several options for filling in Muncy’s spot on the diamond. Cody Bellinger has experience at first, as does Matt Beaty and Enrique Hernandez. With Gavin Lux expected to get the majority of at-bats at second base this season, Hernandez, who is looking to impress on his contract season, could gain some appearances back at first.

Muncy has gone from an unknown, signed to a minor league deal, to a prodigious power hitter, seemingly overnight. He has hit 70 home runs over the past two seasons in LA, after hitting only five in two years with Oakland, albeit in more limited game action.

The 29-year-old is a prototypical DH option, with incredible offensive numbers offset by mediocre defensive play, despite an unusual ability to play both first and second base.

AJ Pollock

With Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger set to roam two-thirds of the outfield, left field is open for a platoon split between Joc Pederson and AJ Pollock. Pederson’s power numbers against righties are too strong to allow Pollock to steal many at-bats from him outside of match-ups against lefties.

With a universal DH, manager Dave Roberts will be able to get Pollock more plate appearances in games in which Pederson’s bat is needed in the lineup.

The Dodgers can also maximize their defensive alignment by inserting the better defensive option, Pederson, without sacrificing Pollock’s playing time.

Pollock is in the second year of a four-year, $55 million contract that includes a 2023 player option. After a trade to send Pederson to Anaheim fell through during the offseason, the universal DH opens an opportunity for the Dodgers to make the best use of Pollock among a crowded outfield.

Enrique Hernandez

The 2020 season is an important one to Kiké Hernandez. The utility man is set to become a free agent next offseason, and he would like nothing more than to prove why he should be a valuable commodity on the open market.

After playing in at least 130 games in each of the previous three seasons, it could be challenging for him to find himself in the lineup on so many occasions under normal conditions this season. The designated hitter role would give him an opportunity to gain more at-bats both in the field, as other Dodger players cycle through DH responsibilities, or as the DH, himself.

Hernandez had a breakout season at the plate in 2018 when he batted .256/.336/.470 and hit a career-high 21 home runs. His production fell a bit last year when his batting average dropped to .237, but he still hit 17 home runs, and if he can keep his walk rate closer to his career average, he can be an above average hitter in the lineup.

A mix of players

The great thing about the designated hitter role is that anybody can play it. That’s the entire point. For a Dodgers roster stocked with talent, an extra spot in the lineup would allow manager Dave Roberts the ability to keep his bench fresh, while playing his best everyday players in their most comfortable roles.

If the 2020 season is played, it will most definitely be a wild and hectic schedule, with few off days, doubleheaders, and high risk for player injury. The DH would allow the Dodgers to keep someone like Cody Bellinger fresh by giving him a day off in the field, without sacrificing his bat in the lineup.

Players such as Matt Beaty and Chris Taylor, who weren’t mentioned in this list as specific candidates, because of their value as replacements in the field, could also gain at-bats during games they would have otherwise been stuck on the bench.

The Dodgers don’t necessarily need a full-time DH, they would probably be best served spreading the extra plate appearances across their roster, either to keep players fresh, optimize their defense, or just add another threat to opposing pitchers.