What Mookie Betts position switch could mean (other than Juan Soto to Dodgers)

During the 2024 GM Meetings in Texas, Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes told reporters that the team had plans to move Mookie Betts back to the infield, where he played shortstop from Opening Day to mid-June before he sustained a broken hand from a wild pitch. It would free up a corner outfield spot, which immediately set off sirens that the Dodgers might be serious about their pursuit of Juan Soto in his free agency.

Even if Soto ends up staying in New York or going anywhere other than LA, moving Betts back to the infield opens up a world of possibilities for the Dodgers.

Gomes conspicuously didn't specify exactly where in the infield they would reinstall Betts. He was supposed to go to second base at the beginning of last season before Gavin Lux made it clear he wasn't a viable option at shortstop, but Betts at shortstop didn't work very well for the Dodgers either.

If he does end up at second base, where does that leave Lux? Do the Dodgers sign a new left fielder (Soto, maybe Anthony Santander?) or give a younger player more time in the field? Do they move Tommy Edman to shortstop full-time and get another center fielder, or do they give James Outman another shot?

Mookie Betts' move back to the infield will give the Dodgers more options for the 2025 roster

Assuming the Dodgers do put Betts at second instead of shortstop (please, we're begging), Lux's future is the first big question mark. Despite the fact that he has two minor league options left, the Dodgers stuck by him through the season even though he was batting .239 with a .656 OPS by the trade deadline. He did get hot through July and August, but it trailed off in September and he batted .176 in the postseason.

The Dodgers exercised club options on Miguel Rojas and Austin Barnes, which pretty much fills up the bench with them, Chris Taylor, and Pages, unless they do ultimately decide to put Pages in right field more regularly. In that case, they could add Lux to bench, but they could also use him as a decent trade piece.

If LA doesn't land Soto, Santander has arguably the third-best bat of the corner outfielders on the market behind Soto and Teoscar Hernández, and he'd be cheaper than Soto. Of course, the cheapest option would be to give rookie standout Andy Pages an everyday role in right.

And then there's the issue of shortstop. Rojas is on board as backup, but the Dodgers have been connected to Willy Adames for years and could end up getting him this offseason out of free agency. But Edman could also move to short and the Dodgers could give Outman another chance in center field.

So, clearly, the Dodgers are opening doors for themselves with Betts back in the infield, which should make their offseason a lot more interesting. Whatever they do, though, please don't put Mookie Betts back at shortstop.