Call to the pen
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Los Angeles Dodgers infield picture coming into focus

By David Hill

Jun 26, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy (13) and shortstop Gavin Lux (9) celebrate the walk off solo home run hit by center fielder Cody Bellinger (35) against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy (13) and shortstop Gavin Lux (9) celebrate the walk off solo home run hit by center fielder Cody Bellinger (35) against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Dodgers infield is going to look different in 2023.

Both Trea Turner and Justin Turner have departed, leaving holes at shortstop and third base respectively. Despite those departures, the Dodgers did not do much over the course of the offseason to address holes on the roster, seemingly content to reset their luxury tax penalty with an eye toward next season. The acquisition of Miguel Rojas alone will not fix everything.

Figuring out the Los Angeles Dodgers infield for 2023

However, the Dodgers appear to have their infield for the coming year in mind. According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, Dodgers general manager Andrew Friedman envisions an infield where Max Muncy is at third, Gavin Lux takes over at short, and Miguel Vargas is at second. Chris Taylor would slot into the outfield while Rojas would serve as a utility option.

There are some possible issues with this alignment. Vargas spent far more time at third (296 games) than at second (28 games) in the minors and has yet to make more than 17 appearances at the keystone in any season. Lux has not exactly proven to be a strong defensive option at short despite his impressive metrics at second over his career.

This imperfect defense may be the best that the Dodgers can do to keep Vargas’ bat in the lineup. Muncy can play second, opening third for their top prospect, but he is best suited defensively to third base as well. Rojas makes the most sense at short, moving Lux to second and Vargas to more of a part time role, but that would involve keeping his bat on the bench.

In the end, it appears that the Dodgers are opting for more firepower in the lineup instead of their best defensive alignment. Maybe this will prove to work out, that Lux will show he can be a viable option at short and Vargas is athletic enough to make that transition to second. If not, the Dodgers covered their bases with Rojas, allowing them to change their plans without issue.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers believe that they have their infield alignment set for the upcoming season. Time will tell if they are correct.

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