Why do the Dodgers seemingly neglect second base?

Have you noticed that … the Los Angeles Dodgers haven’t had a true full-time second baseman throughout their recent dominant stretch?

Seriously, it’s been five years. The Dodgers like to plug and play guys all over the place, but what’s been their odd neglect (can we even call it that?) of second base? They’ve used it as a revolving door, with guys like Trea Turner, Chris Taylor, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy and Kiké Hernandez among the recent options.

But even more perplexing is the fact they’ve had 11 different Opening Day second basemen over the last 14 years. And there’s likely going to be a different one for 2022! Here’s the list dating back to 2009:

2009: Jeff Kent
2010: Blake DeWitt
2011: Jamey Carroll
2012: Mark Ellis
2013: Mark Ellis
2014: Justin Turner
2015: Howie Kendrick
2016: Chase Utley
2017: Logan Forsythe
2018: Kiké Hernandez
2019: Kiké Hernandez
2020: Kiké Hernandez
2021: Gavin Lux
2022: Chris Taylor/Gavin Lux?

The Dodgers haven’t had a “regular” second baseman in the last 5 years. They’ve had 11 opening day 2B in the last 14 years, including Justin Turner’s first game with the Dodgers (in 2014, in Australia) coming at second base https://t.co/FlVXRvfqCQ
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) January 27, 2022

How have the Dodgers not found a full-time second baseman in so long?

Not only that, but Lux, Hernandez and Forsythe were utility players, with Utley serving as the last true full-timer. You can bet Chris Taylor (another utility player) will be the starter this coming Opening Day with AJ Pollock, Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts likely making up the outfield. So that’ll be six years in a row.

And for the error count…

2017: 14
2018: 9
2019: 13
2020: 9
2021: 20

Only this past season wasn’t great, and that was likely because EIGHT different players logged at least a game at the position. That number probably won’t be as high in 2022, but with a majority of those guys still on the roster, it’s possible we’ll see at least five.

Wondering who for the Dodgers in 2022 will play second base, a position that has seen many players and few regulars for over a decade https://t.co/U2oZflh4kS
— True Blue LA (@truebluela) January 27, 2022

The situation would’ve been fluid had Corey Seager stayed (then Turner would’ve played the position for a majority of the season), but now it looks like Turner will shift to shortstop and Taylor will hold down the fort despite seeing just 46 games (33 starts) there last season. Could we see top prospect Michael Busch make his MLB debut in 2022 and make a few starts there as well? Add another potential name to the list! Or, even better, maybe they trade for Jose Ramirez and use him between second and third.

Thanks to this being pointed out at TrueBlueLA, we’re now wondering when the Dodgers will deem it important to have a full-time second baseman that specializes solely with middle infield work.

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How have the Dodgers not found a full-time second baseman in so long?

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