Call to the pen
Fansided

Dodgers rumors of J.T. Realmuto interest could set the team very well

By Benjamin Chase

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 24: J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins bats against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 24: J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins bats against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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Dodgers rumors
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 15: Enrique Hernandez #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers fields the ball during Game 3 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Monday, October 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Bench flexibility

The Dodgers have valued roster flexibility and depth under team president Andrew Friedman. Of the Dodgers 22 position players in 2018, 17 of them played multiple positions (though 5 were simply playing multiple outfield positions).

More than that, the Dodgers work with their catchers to be athletic and be able to handle multiple positions. Even their top catching prospects, like Will Smith and Connor Wong, who both played positions other than catcher last season.

Current catchers Austin Barnes and Russell Martin both have extensive experience at other positions. Martin has played second, third, short, and left the last three seasons for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Barnes has been up in the majors for four seasons, and he’s played at second base and third base as well as catcher. He’s also played outfield in the minor leagues as well.

On top of the flexibility of multiple positions with their catchers (and other players on the team, the Dodgers have an option with Barnes that they can use. Along with options available for guys like Max Muncy, Pederson/Verdugo (whichever one is around), and Enrique Hernandez, the Dodgers would have the option to move multiple bench pieces between the minors and majors as needed.

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