January 2nd, 2026 at 2:00 pm 
by Jesse Pearce On the surface, the Dodgers infield appears to be set for the 2026 season, with future Hall of Fame players Freddie Freeman (first base) and Mookie Betts (shortstop) anchoring the group. If he isn’t needed in centerfield, Tommy Edman should be the second baseman and third base is the current domain of Max Muncy. The current reserve infielders are unproven Hyeseong Kim and rookie Alex Freeland (more about them when we consider the Dodgers bench).
However, as the Dodgers retool the roster for next season, infielders age and injuries must be considered. When the 2026 post season begins, Freeman will be 37 years old, Muncy 36, and Betts 34. Edman will be the youngest at 32. And each of those players spent time on the injured list during the 2025 season, with Edman’s injured ankle frequently keeping him on the bench day-to-day. Notably, Muncy has only played 53% of the team’s regular season games in the last two seasons (2024-25) because of many assorted injuries.
also slugged 19 home runs and drove in 67. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Although the Dodgers recently exercised their $10M 2026 option on Muncy, they may consider ways to get younger and healthier at third base.
Free agency has become an important tool for Dodgers roster building. The team could once again tap into Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for third basemen Munetaka Murakami (26 next season) or Kazuma Okamoto (will be 30). Murakami is the higher profile player, a lefty slugger, but with high strike-out rates and marginal fielding at the hot corner. Okamoto is a more disciplined right-handed hitter with power, and is a better fielder who can also play left field. Both players are in their respective 45-day window to sign with an MLB team.
Although a bit older, Okamoto may be the better fit for the Dodgers. The Dodgers value positional flexibility and he could be used in left field when Muncy or Freeland is playing third base. Should the team sign free agent lefty-slugger Kyle Tucker for right field (more about Tucker when we consider the outfield alignment), Okamoto would balance the righty/lefty lineup.
The other acquisition option is for the Dodgers to trade for a younger, experienced third baseman. Perhaps the best option for the Dodgers, regardless of their free agent signings, is St. Louis Cardinals utility player Brendan Donovan, the lefty hitter who can play third base, second base, left field, and shortstop in an emergency. Donovan, who will turn 29 in January, would also be an ideal number nine hitter in front of Shohei Ohtani, and is rumored to be available as the Cardinals continue their rebuilding program.
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Posted in
Something has to happen soon.
Concerns as you mentioned are the age of the players.
Playoffs are way longer than in the old days.
Multiple rounds against very strong teams.
I think when you consider the amount of playoff games, the incredible level of the competition this was truly a monumental achievement.
We all need to face up to the fact that Max Muncy will almost certainly have his last season as a Dodger in 2026. If he even makes it through an entire season without injury or being traded. Last season he was very ineffective the first half of the season. We will be watching the last playing days of Miguel Rojas and almost certainly Kiké too.
Yeah, kind hurts but it’s the big leagues and teams have to retool as necessary. STILL kills me they had to let Justin Turner leave but it was time. I’m almost certain he will be signed to a one day contract when he does decide to retire. Can’t blame guys for hanging on a couple years. It’s not like anyone will be offering them million dollar salaries after their playing days are done.
It is SO unlikely that any team ever gets to a 3rd World Series in a row much less win it. But of course we all hope that’s the case for these true blue world champion Dodger players.
Great points, Dan. Agree right down the line.
We’ve been having issues with the site (entirely my fault), but thankfully I have Scott to unscrew-up my screw-ups.
I cannot thank you enough for your longtime support and excellent input. Have a GREAT New Year!
Thanks Steve and Dan — really enjoy exchanging thoughts about Dodgers with both of you (also Ron and Ohio). With recent rumors, perhaps Bo Bichette becomes a Dodger for 2026 and beyond. Only 28 years old, Bichette would be a great way to start retooling.
Bichette would certainly settle our 2B situation. How does he rate at 3B?
Bichette would be great.
Best hitter available. Love his clutch and bat to ball skills.
Could play 2b. Watched him turn a double play on one good leg in the world series
Yes, age is a factor that we need to consider. One thing I haven’t heard anything about lately is the third base situation as far as internal options. Will Smith. Could he possibly be an option at third for a few games? 10 to 15 maybe? That would give Dalton Rushing more behind the plate exposure and more at-bats. Dalton already has been covering first a few games. Will definitely has the arm to play third. Long term, I would think moving him from behind the plate would be a positive. I know Bichette would be an offensive force. But he would command a long-term contract at high dollar. He has also had injury concerns. The other thing is that Freeland is an outstanding fielder. He had a small sample last year; and may have figured out some things this off-season. I would like to see him given another shot. And we have Kim. The guy is absolutely electric. He is an outstanding fielder, an outstanding baserunner and COULD develop into a slap hitter extraordinaire. Infield in a step or two every at-bat. Teach him to bunt like Bret Butler. Take pitches. Etc. Anyway. We have an opportunity to develop a couple youngsters. We should take it while we can.