Opening Day 2025 for the defending World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers is exactly 131 days from today. And while this may seem like an unbearable amount of time, it will be here before you know it … no, really.

When that day finally does come in, of all places, Tokyo, Japan, it will mark the beginning of a new era for the defending champs. For the first time in a long time, the Dodgers will actually have an ‘every-day second baseman.’

On Wednesday, it was being widely reported that the Dodgers plan to utilize 32-year-old future Hall of Famer Mookie Betts as their ‘every-day second baseman.’

“Mookie Betts will no longer split time between second base and right field. In 2025, he will be the “every-day second baseman” for the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to manager Dave Roberts,” writes Yahoo Sports’ Rhiannon Walker.

The extremely popular Nashville, TN native and fifth-round draft pick in 2011 by the Boston Red Sox out of Overton High School in Nashville appeared in 126 games for the Dodgers in 2024, of which 43 were in right field and 18 at second base. For good measure, he also appeared in 65 games as the Dodgers shortstop.

Unfortunately, Betts suffered a fracture to his left (non-throwing) hand when he was hit by a pitch on June 16, 2024 in a game against the Kansas City Royals, causing him to spend nearly two months on the IL. Upon his return to action, the Dodgers brass decided move him back to his familiar right field position to allow his hand to heal further without having to field hot grounders and line drives.

On the other side of the ball, Betts posted an impressive .289/.372/.491/.863 slashline with 19 home runs and 75 RBIs in 2024. He also hit 24 doubles, five triples, and represented the Dodgers in the 2024 All-Star Game, the eighth of his now 11-year MLB career. During those 11 seasons, Betts won six Gold Gloves, six Silver Sluggers, and was the MLB Player of the Year in 2018 while with the Red Sox.

Having Betts as the Dodgers every-day second baseman also opens up an every-day outfield spot, allowing Roberts to utilize one of his plethora of outfield talent and young prospects.

All things considered, it hard not to feel good about having Mookie Betts in the number four hole in the Dodgers defense.

Play Ball!

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