Opposing Max Muncy narratives arise for 2026 as Dodgers weigh offseason upgrades

A few months into this season, it looked like there was no way the Dodgers were going to exercise their 2026 club option on Max Muncy. Through May 7, he was batting .176 with a .586 OPS and had only hit his first homer of the season a week before. The Dodgers seemed to be trying everything to help him break out of it, including getting him glasses to wear on field á la Kiké Hernández — and it slowly but surely worked.

Muncy's been on the IL twice this season, but in his 54 games since May 7, he's hitting .313 with a 1.082 OPS. Getting him for the $10 million attached to his 2026 club option may actually be a bargain.

There have still been some discussions of how the Dodgers might upgrade at third base, though. Jim Bowden of the Athletic called LA an "obvious fit" for Alex Bregman, who may or may not become a free agent at the end of the season, depending on what he decides about his player option with the Red Sox for next season.

However, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com predicted the Dodgers keeping Muncy, which does feel more plausible than them signing Bregman.

Conflicting arguments over Max Muncy's Dodgers future arise as club option looms

Bregman would be a defensive upgrade at third base, but he'd only be a marginal offensive upgrade if the Dodgers were even able to get past the fact that he was part of the cheating Astros team that beat them in the 2017 World Series. He also wouldn't come cheaply; he'd only leave behind the rest of the $120 million Boston owes him through 2027 if he knew he could get a similarly lucrative deal.

Muncy is more than affordable, a two-time World Series champion with the Dodgers, and the organization's shining example of what their player development can do at its best. Given all of that, Feinsand's guess seems like the more likely one right now.

If the Dodgers are actually considering finding a replacement third baseman, then Muncy will have to come back from the IL at full power and pick up like he never left, and then carry that into the postseason. The Dodgers' quest for power is boundless, and it wouldn't be surprising if they drop a lot of money on free agents this offseason again. Still, it feels likely that the Dodgers are going to stick with the veteran that both the organization and fans love.