Teoscar Hernandez- The Los Angeles Dodgers are no strangers to success, having claimed their second World Series title in five years after defeating the New York Yankees. Additionally, the team has dominated the National League West, securing the division title in 11 of the last 12 seasons. With such an impressive track record, it’s no surprise that the Dodgers’ roster is brimming with talent. To further bolster their lineup, they made several key acquisitions this offseason, including starting pitchers Blake Snell from the San Francisco Giants and Roki Sasaki from Japan, as well as relief pitcher Tanner Scott from the San Diego Padres.
While the Dodgers’ pitching staff and offense appear to be elite, concerns have been raised regarding their defense. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal recently addressed these worries, pointing out that while the Dodgers don’t consider their defense a strength, they also don’t view it as a glaring weakness. Rosenthal discussed specific areas of concern, particularly the corner outfield positions, where Teoscar Hernandez and Michael Conforto are set to play. Both players, while solid contributors, lack elite range, which could impact the overall defensive performance in the outfield.
Another potential issue is Mookie Betts, who will be playing shortstop full-time for the first time in his career. In 2024, when Betts briefly filled in at the position, he was rated as below average defensively. However, the offseason and full spring training could help him improve his defensive skills at shortstop, making it an area to watch closely as the 2025 season approaches.
Despite these concerns, the Dodgers remain a formidable force in Major League Baseball, and their continued focus on refining all aspects of their game could help them overcome these defensive challenges. As the season gets underway, it will be interesting to see how the defense develops and whether any weaknesses in this area impact the team’s pursuit of further success.