Los Angeles Dodgers: Sorting Through the Outfield Logjam
By Sunit Bhakta
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been known for having too many bodies for their outfield in the past few seasons. It is time they finally agree upon a lineup without randomly shuffling every day.
Most teams are exhausted after having to deal with one crowded positional battle, and for the Los Angeles Dodgers, that was their starting rotation. Now we turn our attention to another important logjam that needs to be sorted out sooner rather than later. Luckily for the Dodgers, spring training will help draw a clearer picture. As of right now, Joc Pederson, Enrique Hernandez, Andre Ethier, Scott Van Slyke, Trayce Thompson, Andrew Toles, and of course, Yasiel Puig will be battling for three positions. However, with Joc entrenched in center field, it is six players for two spots.
There’s some quality in there, but it would be preferable if the Dodgers were able to settle on a consistent starting three. There is lots of potential in the outfield, especially with Yasiel Puig being there. However, platoons might be the most popular choice for manager Dave Roberts and the front office.
In addition to the seven names listed above, top prospect Cody Bellinger may be an eighth player and potential X-factor. He is the heir apparent to Adrian Gonzalez at first base but has the athleticism and glove to play all over the outfield. It would most likely be one of the corner outfield spots, as he is a lefty, thus making it impossible to platoon him with Pederson. However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, as Bellinger has only 12 plate appearances at Triple-A and a lot of names to beat out at the major league level. Here is the best way the Los Angeles Dodgers should assemble their outfield.