October 24th, 2019 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 Barring injuries, trades, or free-agent signings, the Dodgers will head into Spring Training 2020 with a deep and talented group of infielders.
According to Fangraphs, Dodgers first basemen in 2019 had the highest WAR (Wins Above Replacement) in Major League Baseball. Second base was fourth and shortstop fifth. Surprisingly, third base was the weak link in the Dodgers infield, ranking 18th in WAR.
First base is in exceptionally good shape with 29-year-old Max Muncy (.889 OPS, 35 home runs, 98 RBI, 101 runs scored). Should Muncy be needed to play either third base or second base, Cody Bellinger could become the first baseman, which would be an upgrade offensively and defensively. The retirement of David Freese does leave a void that will be difficult to replace. Freese’s tenure with the Dodgers was nothing short of spectacular, both during the regular season and in the (brief) postseason. Tyler White will have an opportunity in spring training to fill the Freese roster spot, but it is also possible that soon-to-be (on November 23) 35-year-old Justin Turner could move across the diamond to first base.
Baseball America’s 2019 Minor League Player of the Year Gavin Lux appears to be a lock as the Dodgers second baseman for years to come and is a strong candidate to be the 2020 National League Rookie of the Year. He is still very young (22-years-old next month), but handled himself well at the major league level after being added to the roster in August.
Although Lux has nothing left to prove at the Triple-A level, there is a scenario where he could start the 2020 season back at Oklahoma City. Should the Dodgers acquire another third baseman this offseason, Turner could (and probably would) move to first base, with Muncy shifting to second base. This would leave no place to put Lux, a pure middle infielder.
Shortstop is in the (very) capable hands of Corey Seager, who returned this past season after a year of rehabbing from Tommy John and hip surgeries. Seager was statistically equivalent in 2019 to fellow MLB shortstops Francisco Lindor (Indians), Javier Baez (Cubs) and Trea Turner (Nationals) in WAR, and wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created). Before his elbow and hip injuries, Seager won the Silver Slugger award two consecutive seasons, while leading all MLB shortstops with 13.3 WAR and ranking fifth overall during that period behind only Mike Trout (Angels), Mookie Betts (Red Sox), Jose Altuve (Astros), and Kris Bryant (Cubs).
Turner’s defense at third base may – and probably will – force a position change that will affect the decisions at first base and/or second base. Fangraphs DEF (Defensive Runs Above Average metric) measures a player’s defensive value relative to the league average for his position. In 2016, Turner’s third base DEF was 11.3, second only to future Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre’s 12.8 in all of baseball. But in 2017, Turner’s defense slipped to slightly below average (-.1), with a further decline in 2018 (-.5). His DEF took a nosedive to -5.0 among all players at the position this past season. Only the Twins Miguel Sano, the Pirates Colin Moran, and the Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ranked lower.
Improving the defense at third base could be as simple as having Muncy and Turner switch positions. Muncy’s 2019 DEF at third base rated just above MLB average, a significant statistical improvement over Turner’s performance.
Another option is for Turner to float among three positions, perhaps getting four to five starts each week at either first base, second base or third base, and being the team’s primary right-handed pinch hitter. This type of arrangement would enable the Dodgers to keep Lux at second base. Lux could also then give Seager an occasional blow at shortstop.
Currently backing up the Dodgers regular infielders are Matt Beaty (1B, 3B), Kristopher Negrón (2B, SS), Edwin Rios (1B, 3B), Kiké Hernandez (1B, 2B, 3B, SS), Chris Taylor (2B, SS, 3B) and Tyler White (1B). Obviously the team cannot keep all of these players. Beaty will take one spot with Rios a likely trade target. Negrón and White are out of minor league options, which restricts the team’s roster flexibility during the season. The odds of either making the 2020 roster are very low. Hernandez and Taylor have been valuable utility players over the last several seasons, but both are now arbitration-eligible and projected to earn $5+ million. One may leave via trade, so the team could use those payroll dollars in other areas.
Potential acquisitions include free-agent third basemen Anthony Rendon (Nationals) and Josh Donaldson (Braves), and a trade target could include Kris Bryant (Cubs).
Whatever roster decisions the Dodgers make for 2020, the infield will once again be one of the best in the game.
* * * * *
Posted in 
At the risk of being lambasted, Justin Turner’s best days are clearly behind him; but then, aren’t all of ours? Although he still has a knack for coming up with an occasional big hit, his glove at 3B is a liability to the team. Having him at 1B is certainly better than having him at 3B, but as you noted, there are better options.
To be brutally honest, having Negrón and White on the 25-man AND 40-man rosters is nothing more than a roadblock for younger and more talented infielders down on the farm. The Dodgers would be an even better team without them.
Fire away.
I agree with you 100%.
While I hate to say it, it sounds like Justin Turner might be most valuable as trade bait. He’d still be a great DH and have a lot of value to someone like Cleveland.
I’ll miss all that Justin brought to the Dodgers the last few years, especially his clutch playoff hitting, but going forward an infield of:
1st, Bellinger
2nd, Lux
SS, Seager
3rd, Muncy
or
1st, Muncy
2nd, Lux
SS, Seager
3rd, Rendon or Donaldson
Would be very good.
Better to trade someone a year early than a year late.
Your 2nd set of INF is better with either Rendon or Donaldson (both RHB) would be good. I am not sure I need an all LH hitting INF.
I prefer the second lineup also, but the first is already in-house. Don’t forget we have Hernandez and Taylor as platoon righties. But I see from your post below, you don’t like platoons.
Right now, Bellinger, Seager and Muncy are viewed as “everyday” players against both righties and lefties. Lux also has the potential to be an everyday player.
An infield with Turner at first also wouldn’t be bad. I’d only want to see Turner traded if we get something real good in return.
Interestingly, the Dodgers used to have a pretty successful all righty infield of Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey.
Exactly about that great infield as ya mentioned , and they won a WS with it too.. I remember 2 seasons that stand out, 1991 and 2016 when the Dodgers failed to even reach a PS because it was too easy for teams to match up against the all LH hitting lineups those 2 teams had. As far as current Dodgers, there is Joc and Beaty, both who cannot hit lefties at all and are platoon players. But look at those teams in the WS. I don’t see to much platooning going on, but perhaps defensive moves in later innings.
I think Turner stays. Even though his defense really fell off, his overall WAR was 3.4 (Fangraphs), or 3.7 (Baseball Reference). Fangraphs places an annual value on Turner of $27MM for 2019, well above what Dodgers are paying him. I think Turner more than fills the David Freese void at first base, plus he can fill-in at second base, and on occasion third base. After watching him all season (90% – 95% of games) it was obvious that he was not playing the same level of defense we had come to expect; it would not surprise me if he did not have a sore arm (shoulder? elbow?). After articles on outfield, starting pitching, bullpen, and bench, I plan to forecast potential roster moves. Thanks for reading, and responding. Your insights are always welcome.
OK, Ron I will. While I agree that perhaps Turner can be moved to 1st let’s try and keep the shuffling around of INF to a minimum. Despite the Astros losing the 1st 2 games in this WS (BTW that’s what great starting pitching can do in these situations) they have a SET INF of Bregman at 3rd, Correa at SS and Altuve at 2nd WHO DO NOT NEED TO BE PLATOONED or shuffled around based upon the opposing pitcher each and every night! They do well against both LH and RH for the most part or they may not themselves be everyday players. OH and JT with his knees, legs cannot possibly be asked to play 2nd or SS
I give up. Who’s “OH”?
Bob, by OH I basically meant BTW (by the way). Not another person or player. I should have worded it better that’s for sure. But on the moving of JT, 1st base is actually ideal depending of course on who Dodgers bring in from the outside because JT has played some 1st in past years here and he is good enough defensively there for sure.
Pretty sure he meant ‘Oh.’
Turner has looked very good around second base when he shifts to the right side of the infield. I don’t think the Dodgers will play him there regularly, the bulk of his playing time will likely be first base; but, to spell Lux, or Muncy for 30 – 40 games in 2020 should be fine.
I think we will be ok with JT for one more season:
Jesse, I just like seeing a solid middle INF. combos, such as the Astros have in Correa and Altuve, who are there most of the time and don’t have to be shuffled around the order either.
Teams must adjust to the players on the roster. You don’t castoff a hitter of Turner’s talent, you find ways to put his bat in the lineup while giving other players needed physical and mental days off.
What about Gjorko?
Certainly a possibility. Dodgers will not exercise his 2020 option ($13MM) which will make him a free agent. Dodgers will likely want a RH hitter with an OPS better than Gyorko’s .730, but he might be a platoon partner at 3b with Beaty.
Having to platoon consistently at 3rd won’t get the job done. If that’s the case it’s because neither player is good enough to be trusted in a starting role. Look at the Nats and Rendon…does he need to be platooned except for maybe a day off here or there? Does Alex Bregman of the Astros have to be platooned?
I do not agree with your postulate regarding platooning; “If that’s the case it’s because neither player is good enough to be trusted in a starting role.” Joc Pederson is an excellent player who cannot consistently hit left hand pitching, but against RH pitchers in 2019: .252 / .339 / .349 / .920 with 36 home runs in 401 at bats. His wRC+ of 127 (27% better than MLB average for runs created) was 5th in MLB left fielders; his WAR was 8th among all MLB left fielders. He was third amongst all MLB left fielders in home runs. My guess, there are 20+ MLB teams that would love to have Joc platooning in left field for them.
Why is Lux automatically the 2B?
If the Dodgers are so loaded in the OF wouldn’t they be better served with:
1B Cody Bellinger
2B Max Muncy
3B Corey Seager
(May help Seagers propensity for injury)
SS Gavin Lux
Backups:
Turner 1B, 3B
Chris Taylor 2B,3B,SS,OF
Omar Estevez SS, 2B
Choice of what’s left or via trade
Outfield:
Pollock, Pederson, Verdugo
BU: Taylor, Peters, whoever has best spring
Fair question about Lux. In his minor league career he struggled with a large number of throwing errors from shortstop, but at second base he was much better. I don’t think it is correct to characterize Seager as prone to injury; Tommy John surgery happens regardless of position, even first basemen have suffered that injury. Same with the hip which could have been injured in a slide; he was injury free in 2019. Seager wants to play shortstop, and I think the Dodgers will leave him there for the present. In your lineup the Dodgers would only have 2 RH hitters, Pollock and Smith with a terrific hitter Turner on the bench; I don’t think that will happen.
An all LH hitting INF is not something I would like to see. And the RH bats as only backups is not such a great plan either.
Just curious if you would feel the same way if it was an all right handed lineup like Garvey, Lopes, Cey, and Russell?
That famous infield ya mentioned played together for 8 years and they won 4 NL Pennants and a WS ring. As far as I can remember they played most of the time and were not shuffled in and around the lineup so much and I may be wrong but a good majority of RHB don’t seem to have the same issues hitting against RHP as LH hitters do against LHP. Perhaps it’s because RH hitters see a lot more RHP in any event. Dodgers had a good compliment of Reggie Smith, who was a switch hitter, but most of his AB’s were batting LH and don’t forget Rick Monday from 1977 thru 1982 if I recall. But to your point on a potential all LH hitting INF, it may be OK if a balance in the lineup was seen in the rest of the positions.
I agree with you on balance, my point being if an all LH hitting infield can put up similar, or better runs created then it does not matter if they are all left handed hitters.
Muncy hits LHP better than right and Seager has a modest drop against lefties. Curiously, it’s about the same as Turner who hits RHP better. Lux is perported to hit either though that remains to be seen.
I agree with these assessments. And if we think like Friedman we would scour the rosters of teams like white sox, angels,
baltimore, cincinnatti etc for what we need. A young controllable player who is putting up good numbers for a losing team. These teams could be enticed with some major league ready players/prospects and we would save million$.
Jesse, I do concur in regards to Joc, as he did enough to warrant the playing time he got. Just curious because he got here in 2015 and was the starting CF that year and i have to believe it was because he was good against all comers in the previous year at AAA. if he is platooned, then OK, but the way the Dodgers shuffle around the lineups and players everywhere may just not get it done when consistency and productivity are needed most in the PS
This might not be popular around here, but, how about picking up this free-agent on a two-three year contract?
Bill James, the famed statistician who’s been an adviser and consultant for the Boston Red Sox since 2002, announced Thursday that he’s leaving the organization.
The Sox won four championships while he was there.