2024 Dodgers thread

[snackdaddy]

Sounds like the Dodgers are close to bringing Teoscar back according to the MLB site. Which likely means they won't be pursuing Soto. I do prefer Teoscar. A good clubhouse influence. Liked by pretty much everyone in the locker room. And a pretty good hitter who can provide offense.

 

[Tano]

Dodgers are saying that they are moving Betts back to Shortstop.

I think that is a bad move in my personal opinion.

 

[snackdaddy]

With Soto off the market now they can focus on Teoscar. Which is probably the first choice for most of us Dodger fans. Crossing my fingers for Sasaki. Many think he's the real deal.

 

[RamFan503]

I think that is a bad move in my personal opinion.

I agree. Even though Mookie can play pretty much anywhere, his bat will suffer.

 

[Mackeyser]

I don’t understand. How does him playing shortstop affect his batting?

Am I miss something?

 

[Akrasian]

I don’t understand. How does him playing shortstop affect his batting?

Am I miss something?ition

Betts has finite energy. Playing a more demanding position almost always results in somewhat poorer hitting. Sometimes the result is minor, and can't be separated from background noise, but sometimes it's huge. Basically, moving him to a much tougher position is a gamble.

 

[RamFan503]

I don’t understand. How does him playing shortstop affect his batting?

Am I miss something?

I've known this for a long time and thought it was common knowledge. Look it up. Historically, one of the lowest HR averages per position is SS and 2nd base. Most big time HR hitters are outfielders by a long stretch. I decided to do a little research before when this question was asked and it is really obvious. I think it might even be in this thread.

Mookie has even said it himself that playing SS has so much going on that it affects his hitting.

 

[Mackeyser]

Huh, I didn’t know that. I played first base and pitched.

I always hit over .400 (without glasses which I look back on and wonder how…) , but I never parsed if either position affected my hitting.

Makes sense though, thanks for spelling it out. Learn something new every day

 

[snackdaddy]

I've known this for a long time and thought it was common knowledge. Look it up. Historically, one of the lowest HR averages per position is SS and 2nd base. Most big time HR hitters are outfielders by a long stretch. I decided to do a little research before when this question was asked and it is really obvious. I think it might even be in this thread.

Mookie has even said it himself that playing SS has so much going on that it affects his hitting.

Which is why I'd prefer they keep Mookie in the outfield. He's an all star hitter who should be a 30+HR/100+RBI/.300+BA playing in right field. I'd hate to see that decline.

But I suppose you can look at it this way. Even at shortstop Mookie is a better hitter than anyone else they play there. Playing a decent to good hitting right fielder with Mookie at short stop might give them a little better offense overall. Conforto has had a few upper 20's low 30's HR seasons in the past. Maybe with better hitters in front or behind him he can have another season like those.

 

[PARAM]

Huh, I didn’t know that. I played first base and pitched.

I always hit over .400 (without glasses which I look back on and wonder how…) , but I never parsed if either position affected my hitting.

Makes sense though, thanks for spelling it out. Learn something new every day

Typically, the theory is power from the corner outfielders and corner infielders. Defense and speed from the guys up the middle. Catcher could provide some power but whatever the case, the production drops by September because of wear and tear. I'm sure Jorge Posada would have been a perennial 30 homer guy had he played first base. There have been shortstops, second baseman and centerfielders who have bucked that trend though. Ernie Banks averaged 38 homers from 1954-1960 as a SS winning the MVP twice.

 

[Akrasian]

Ernie Banks averaged 38 homers from 1954-1960 as a SS winning the MVP twice.

He also played basically 1b from 1962 when he was 31 on. It took too much of his energy to play SS.

 

[RamFan503]

Which is why I'd prefer they keep Mookie in the outfield. He's an all star hitter who should be a 30+HR/100+RBI/.300+BA playing in right field. I'd hate to see that decline.

But I suppose you can look at it this way. Even at shortstop Mookie is a better hitter than anyone else they play there. Playing a decent to good hitting right fielder with Mookie at short stop might give them a little better offense overall. Conforto has had a few upper 20's low 30's HR seasons in the past. Maybe with better hitters in front or behind him he can have another season like those.

Yeah. I can see both angles but Mookie also makes so many great plays in RF that I would still want to keep that defense there along with the better bat.

 

[PARAM]

He also played basically 1b from 1962 when he was 31 on. It took too much of his energy to play SS.

True. And from age 30 to 35 at first base (6 years) he hit 150 homers (25 / yr).