November 17th, 2019 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 “What’s on second.”
“I Don’t Know is at third”.
Hard to believe that it’s been more than 80 years since the comedy duo of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello first performed this classic vaudeville routine. But as of today, November 17, 2019, Dodgers fans around the country can honestly say “I don’t know” when asked who will play third base for the Dodgers in 2020.
Soon-to-be (on November 23) 35-year-old incumbent third baseman Justin Turner has agreed to move across the diamond to become the “Who” at first base in 2020. Unfortunately, doing so will leave a huge hole at third base which Turner so magnificently manned since replacing Juan Uribe in 2015. How big of a hole? Turner was a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman for most of his six-year Dodgers career, but unfortunately at the same position as perennial Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies. Offensively, Turner slashed .302/.380/.506/.887 and averaged 143 wRC+ (weighted runs created) – 43% above the MLB average.
Replacing “I Don’t Know” at third may be as simple as Max Muncy becoming the regular third baseman rather than rotating between first, second, and third bases. Offensively, Muncy has a .927 OPS, ~141 wRC+ and his defense improved significantly at ‘The Hot Corner’ in the 35 games that he played there during the 2019 regular season.
Possibly a perfect solution for the “What” at second base is soon-to-be (also on November 23) 22-year-old Gavin Lux, who was recently named the 2019 Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America, with 25-year-old two-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and 2016 National League Rookie of the Year Corey Seager as the Dodgers everyday shortstop.
All of this said, many baseball pundits are passionately campaigning for the Dodgers to sign either 29-year-old free-agent (and World Series champion) third baseman Anthony Rendon for what will undoubtedly be something in the $35 to $40 million per season range, or bargain-priced free-agent third baseman Josh Donaldson for $25 million-ish. Others believe the team should trade multiple top-tier prospects for one or two seasons of current Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant. (Note: Bryant currently has a grievance pending regarding his MLB service time).
It doesn’t take a baseball expert to know that the Dodgers need to acquire a quality right-handed hitter to help balance their left-handed-heavy offense, so it may seem logical to fill the (apparent) pending void at third base opening with a tried and true right-handed hitter, either via trade or free agency. But to decide what the Dodgers should do for 2020 demands a look forward to 2021 and 2022.
- Turner and Kiké Hernandez are set to become free agents after the 2020 season, Seager and Chris Taylor following the 2021 season, and Muncy after 2022;
- Matt Beaty and Edwin Ríos have third-base experience but both hit left-handed and neither is considered a plus defender at the position;
- 22-year-old third base prospect Cristian Santana has tremendous right-hand power but is a marginal defender at the position and will most likely play at Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2020;
- Devin Mann is another 22-year-old third base prospect, but has yet to even play at the Double-A level;
- Fast-rising and highly-touted 21-year-old middle infield prospect Jeter Downs could be moved to third base, but he, too, is at least one year away;
- 22-year-old Kody Hoese and 21-year-old Brandon Lewis were selected by the Dodgers in the 2019 MLB first-year player draft in the first and fourth rounds respectively as third base/first base prospects, but neither is expected to reach the majors any earlier than 2022, if at all.
There is one more (significant) consideration for the Dodgers – the aforementioned Nolan Arenado – who can opt-out of his current 8-year/$260 million contract after the 2021 season. The obvious problem with this is that the Dodgers would have to fill the third base void for two full seasons before then.
If the Dodgers are confident that at least one third base prospect will be ready to play the position within the next two to three years, then a short-term solution like Muncy or Donaldson makes sense. If not, then the team may indeed pursue Rendon.
Should the Dodgers go with Muncy at third base, they would then most likely pursue a quality right-handed-hitting outfielder this offseason … which raises an entirely new set of possibilities and corresponding roster issues; but that’s another topic for another day.
What say you, Dodgers fans? Who becomes the “I Don’t Know” at third base in 2020?
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Why (expensively )fix a problem you already have an in-house fix for? Seager has been touted as a future third baseman since he was called up and Lux is a true SS so make them shift now.
The aforementioned Muncy move to 3B with Turner assisting part time while resting his aging legs is another possible option. I seem to remember Turner takes a lubricant injection for his knee (or is it ankle?) every Spring so this makes a lot of sense. If Muncy doesn’t cut it defensively they still have options and the summer trade deadline. I say preserve the money and/or trade possibilities for pitching; starting AND relieving.
If the Dodgers believe they have the in-house fix then they will not spend the money. Regarding Seager, I have heard and read others talk about him eventually moving to third base, but I have heard Seager say that he wants to remain at shortstop. I think moving Muncy to third is a good solution, with Turner playing there on occasion; however, if the Dodgers are serious about finding a right handed hitter to balance the lineup then it means adding an outfielder (Castellanos? Betts? Haniger?), or a second baseman (Baez?) with the associated roster problems.
Jesse, I do have a vinyl LP that has that Abott and Costello audio of that ‘Who’s on First’ routine. Whatever happens with 3rd base, (and I would be fine with signing Rendon) A RH IMPACT hitter is very necessary and perhaps one that can bat either 3rd or 5th to provide lineup protection for Bellinger. On too many occasions Roberts had the wrong guy batting 5th and honestly I believe that had a bit to do with Bellinger not being as good in the 2nd half as he was the first half of 2019.
Do any of you remember long ago when Vin used to play “Who’s on First” before the opening game of Spring Training every year?
At first glance it looks like getting Rendon would be great. My concern is how many other players would get juggled around. Since its already going to be a good infield IMHO getting another really good pitcher for 2-3 yrs is what would help the most. That would no doubt come via trade.
Fair point about the player juggling if Rendon is signed, but it may be as simple as leaving Gavin Lux at Triple-A to start the season. It is practically a certainty that players will be injured during the season which would then open a spot for Lux. Adding an outfield bat would also require juggling, likely a trade.
Have to disagree, Jesse. IMO Lux is not only a stud with the stick, but I can actually see him winning a Gold Glove at 2B; this in direct contrast to earlier reports that he was having issues on defense.
Not gonna lie, I am VERY biased when it comes to Gavin Lux.
I agree regarding Lux. Regarding him being a true SS, I’ve read that his defense isn’t as good there. I would suspect that it’s more about the longer throw.
2b is his to keep or lose. I’m expecting keep.
I agree,using Lux to fill in when someone gets hurt is basically using him as a utility player. He is ready to take over 2b on a regular basis. Turner ,Seager, Lux and Muncy is a really good infield. Trade Joc and Maeda(and Pollock if possible) and get a stud rh hitter. Actually Pollock, Bellinger, Verdugo is a really good outfield when all are healthy. So to get better that leaves adding a pitcher.
Have to disagree with you that Pollock will be a good outfielder.
Agree with Jesse, Pollock is not a good everyday outfielder. I prefer to see DJ Peters in that role.
I’m not saying Lux isn’t ready to be an every day second baseman, but if Rendon is signed then it will likely be an infield of 1b – Turner; 2b – Muncy; 3b – Rendon; SS – Seager. Lux turns 22 in 4 days, and the Dodgers will not keep him on the bench as a utility player, so OKC may be the only option IF Rendon is signed. As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, infield of Turner, Lux, Muncy, and Seager works with the Dodgers signing Castellanos for LF.
I do not believe that the Dodgers will land Rendon.
Me too Ron. Wholeheartedly. Good article though Jesse.