2026 in Preview: Second Base and Shortstop
Today, we will focus our sights on 2B and SS. We will look at potential trades, free-agent signings, and minor-league prospects. Here we go… Second Base Perhaps there is no other position in which the Dodgers could upgrade through trade or free agency than 2B. Bo Bichette…
Today, we will focus our sights on 2B and SS. We will look at potential trades, free-agent signings, and minor-league prospects. Here we go…
Second Base
Perhaps there is no other position in which the Dodgers could upgrade through trade or free agency than 2B. Bo Bichette remains unsigned, but that is going to require a commitment of around (more or less) $200,000,000! I like Bo Bichette, but there is no guarantee his knee will return to 100% of what it was. In fact, he was diagnosed with a PCL sprain in his left knee, and he and the team expected it to heal with rest and rehabilitation. He did not require surgery. I would not be willing to sign him to a big free agent deal without assurance that his knee would be fine going forward… and there are no guarantees.
Instead, I would look to trade for Brendan Donovan, who is under team control until 2028. Alex Freeland, Hyeseong Kim, and another OF prospect (Tibbs or Davalan) should get the job done. Donovan can play all over, but I see him more valuable as a 2B where he grades out above average. He would improve the bottom third of the Dodgers’ lineup dramatically.
Other players who could see time here:
- Miguel Rojas – The Wizard of Glove can play anywhere in the infield.
- Kike Hernandez – If Kim and Freeland are traded, he will be back, and he means more emotionally to this team than he does statistically. Oh, and he can play every position at a high defensive level. After offseason surgery, he just might hit better as well.
- Max Muncy– While he can play 2B, it’s unlikely, as he is needed at 3B.
- Tommy Edman – While he won’t be ready at the start of the season due to ankle surgery, he is an accomplished defensive 2B, as well as a CF’er and 3B man.
- Mookie Betts – Maybe in a year or two.
Shortstop
Mookie Betts arguably turned himself into the best defensive shortstop in baseball in 2025. He will most definitely be there again in 2026 and probably 2027. We have no clue if it was an “offensive decline”, “age erosion,” or other issues, such as learning a new position and being sick at the beginning of the season. Maybe it was all of the above.
Logic tells us that he won’t put up a 1.078 OPS as he did en route to winning the MVP in 2018, but I also don’t expect a .732 OPS as he put up last year. Frankly, I see him as a .850 OPS player, and if he does that, he should still hit #2.
Other players who could see time here:
- Miguel Rojas – “Wizard of Glove”
- Tommy Edman
- Kike Hernandez
Of course, most of this is conjecture, as no trade or free-agent signing has yet happened. Alex Freeland is my favorite player, and I seldom have favorites, but it is because of what he has overcome, not his raw potential. He can play every day with the Cardinals. He might not make the Dodgers’ big club. So… we wait!
Other Dodger News
Joe Kelly and Andrew Heaney have retired, or as Joe Kelly said: “Retiring is like, something that my grandmother did….I’m sorry all you people out there watching this that work a real job. You guys deserve to retire, athletes don’t,” Kelly said. “We just stop [expletive] playing, okay? Let’s cancel the word ’retirement.’ It’s used for people who [expletive] served in the military, used for people who worked until 65…When athletes are done playing, just say ’congratulations, they’re no longer playing.’ ”
MLB.com names Mike Sirota as the Dodgers Breakout Player in 2025:
Dodgers: Mike Sirota, OF (No. 5/MLB No. 64)
A likely first-rounder before slumping during his junior season at Northeastern in 2024, Sirota dropped to the Reds in the third round, then went to the Dodgers in the Gavin Lux trade last January before even making his pro debut. The grand-nephew of Hall of Famer Whitey Ford batted .333/.452/.616 with 13 homers in 59 games between two Class A stops and looked like a potential 20/20 center fielder before injuring his right knee on a slide in July.
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Discussion (46)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I’d be very happy with either Donovan or Bichette but I think your suggested trade of Freeland, Kim and Davalan or Tibbs would fall way short. I don’t think all 4 of those guys would come close to getting it done.
Keep in mind that probably 10-15 teams would like to get their hands on Donovan so whomever winds up with him will have to overpay.
I’m guessing it would take something like Hope and one of our young pitchers (Stone, Ryan, Ferris). I would think that AF isn’t ready to trade Ryan, only a little more likely to trade Stone but might consider Ferris.
Donovan vs. Bichette comes down to how much you value OBP vs. OPS. Assuming you value Bichette’s higher OPS about equal to Donovan’s higher OBP, then you have to ask yourself how much you believe their respective 2024 numbers are predictive of what you would get over the next few years. Here is partly why I prefer Donovan (in addition to the lower price). I believe his numbers reflect a maturation and are a more accurate example of what you will get from him in the next few years whereas Bichette’s numbers to me reflect more of a career year that will likely not reflect the average over the next few years.
I fu”king love Koe Kelly. I really didn’t like him after he hit Hanley in the playoffs. We will miss you Joe.
Edman’s ankle?Rojas’ age? Kim’ s ability to hit mlb pitching? I would absolutely take a chance with Bichette! I would absolutely trade for Donovan! Donovan can also play left, so that’s even better. Donovan and Bichette hit the damn ball! The dodgers need more hit and less swing and miss.
Bo Bichette has the better bat. Has a lifetime OPS of over .800. His OPS+ is 121.
I don’t like the idea of making a trade for a second baseman when Edman, Kim, and Rojas are already on the team. I think what’s more urgent—if that’s the right word—is someone for left, center, or right field.
Here’s my thinking on Bichette:
If he gets an 8-10-year deal, there are questions in my mind.
What is a “knee sprain?”
Well, it’s where you tear ligaments, but it is deemed not severe enough to warrant surgery.
Reading X-rays, CT Scans, and MRIs is not an absolute science.
That’s why I prefer Donovan and his three years of control over Bichette and a much longer time.
A Donovan trade would work , as would signing Bichette. Some stability at second base is needed. While some want Kim , I like him more off the bench. I’m still not convinced he hits major league pitching at a high level. He can be valuable as a late inning defender, pinch runner, or the guy to give Mookie or whoever is at second base a day off. His defense is no question! I’m happy with Donovan or Bichette. Donovan’s cheaper, but this is the Dodgers we’re talking about. His versatility is just what the front office loves. Bo? Love his right handed swing! And when I say cheaper, I know it means Freeland and more would be included in a trade, it’s a good move!
Now the outfield. I’m still on board for Duran. But it doesn’t seem like they will make a decision until the last minute. Boston is said to be asking for a major return in exchange for him. The only thing is, he’s their 4th outfielder! If they really want to move him, they may have to drop the asking price some. Especially if it’s the Dodgers they want to deal with. Maybe Bader is still an option there? Kwan is a good fit offensively, but he’s a left fielder. That would mean Teo stays in right. Not likely that happens. I’m still not sure what the plans are for Call. Nice player, but how many AB’s. Are they looking to give him? kike will be back, but how much offense comes with him? Bench production could be a big issue with them.
Interesting month ahead! Who comes, who goes. The pitching staff is pretty much done. I’m looking for Tanner Scott and Edwin Diaz to be a lethal left/ right. Duo at the end of games! Hope Evan Phillips is resigned. Potentially a dominant bullpen this upcoming season!
IMO, part of the magic of AF is that he understands that team
Chemistry is a force multiplier. Witness the over performance of the Wills, Koufax, Parker, Drysdsle Dodgers vs. the underperformance of the Garvey, Lopes, Russell, Cey Dodgers.,this is why he will go after Donovan
IMO, part of the manic of AF is that he understands that team
Chemistry is a force multiplier. Witness the over performance of the Wills, Koufax, Parker, Drysdsle Dodgers vs. the underperformance of the Garvey, Lopes, Russell, Cey Dodgers.,this is why he will go after Donovan