March 21st, 2024 at 1:00 pm 
by Ron Cervenka It would be ludicrous to judge a Major League Baseball team after only two regular season games. But it would also be negligent to ignore some potential early warning signs; not for the purpose of reassignment or DFA-ing, but hopefully to work on and correct those early warning sign issues – say, like, committing two errors in four chances, and striking out five times in nine official at-bats.
If you are an avid Dodger fan (and you probably wouldn’t be reading this if you were not), you know exactly who I am referring to.
Not only did 33-year-old Dodgers infielder Max Muncy strike out three times in Wednesday’s 15-11 loss to the division rival San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea to give him five K’s on the two-day-old season, he also committed two run-allowing fielding errors at third base.
Please understand that this piece is, in no way, intended to be a bash-Max-Muncy piece. After all, the Midland, TX native and fifth round draft pick in 2012 by the Oakland A’s out of Baylor University also has three hits in his thus far nine official regular season at-bats for a very respectable .333 batting average, including a double and two walks. He has also scored two of the Dodgers thus far 16 regular season runs through their first two games.
But here’s that ‘early warning signs’ thing. In the 10 Spring Training games in which Muncy has played in to this point (with two remaining against the Angels of Anaheim), he is 5-for-15 (.333), with two home runs, four RBI, four runs scored, and four walks. But, he also struck out five times in those 15 ‘meaningless Spring Training Game’ at-bats.
Time to panic? Absolutely not.
An early warning sign and hopefully something to work on and correct? Absolutely.
…and perhaps a good time to re-evaluate Muncy’s best defensive position.
Play Ball!
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I’m guilty of thinking (wishing?) that Muncy’s defense and bat-to-ball skills would improve for 2024, but ST and first games in South Korea portend more of the same for him. Last year, Muncy’s third base defense was quite simply awful — and his frequency of striking out infuriating. Now, with the late position switches for Betts and Lux, the Dodgers infield defense may be the worst in all of MLB and a potential Achilles Heal for the 2024 Dodgers.
I don’t doubt that Muncy is working extremely hard on trying to improve his defense at 3B, but let’s be real here, how exactly do you do that? This is one of those skills that you either have or you do not.
I totally get that the Dodgers are on the hook for $24 million for Muncy for 2024 and 2025 (with a $10 million team option for 2026), but is this worth potentially missing the postseason because of his subpar play at the hot corner?
Although some may disagree, Muncy’s current contract is very moveable, which makes him an ideal trade piece for a team looking to add a power bat.
Here again, this is not intended to be a bash-Max-Muncy piece, but them’s the facts.
I agree, Muncy would be a trade target by teams wanting to upgrade their DH role, or perhaps first base. But, finding an equitable return to the Dodgers would be a challenge — someone who can play good defense at the hot corner and be counted upon for above average MLB offense. Now that Ohtani may be investigated for possible gambling involvement, Muncy could potentially be the Dodgers LH DH with an Ohtani suspension.
There is no indication that any of the bets were on baseball. No real chance of Ohtani suspension.
I really don’t believe Betts will be SS
Very long.
Muncy will improve on what you saw in Korea, he was coming off illness.
But he’s not Brooks Robinson.
Lux could bring solid return.