GLENDALE, Ariz. — Red Sox fans, look away.
The great Mookie Betts continues to surprise and amaze here in the great circus of talent also known as Dodger camp. In the human category, we don’t count Betts’ Dodgers teammate Shohei Ohtani because he’s superhuman, he’s an extraordinary DH and pitcher, but Betts is the best player on this all-time great roster. He once again shows that he is a versatile baseball player. It is very likely that the same is true on this planet.
Betts, who had already transitioned from right field to second base last season, is transitioning back to shortstop, but scouts (and everyone involved in the game) say the transition is far more difficult. No joke, he’s trying to learn his second most difficult defensive position on the field, and it will take him several weeks to master it.
There aren’t many players who can develop from a Gold Glove level right fielder to an excellent second baseman or even a big league level shortstop. Especially when it flattens out quickly. But Mookie might be.
When Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced the surprise transfer, Roberts stuck to the phrase “permanent for the time being” to describe the move, which roughly translates to, “I hope it works out, but it doesn’t work out.” It means maybe. One reason it may not be forever is probably why you had to switch in the first place. Gavin Lux was told to replace him due to obvious pitching issues that couldn’t rule out the yips. Lux has survived a game in indescribable conditions once before, but there are no guarantees.
Another reason is the demands of the shortstop position. Ron Washington might say, “Incredibly difficult.” Aside from the catcher, this is definitely the trickiest spot on the field because you’re risking limb, if not life. Basically, no one else could even try this.
“If I had to bet on anyone, it would be Mookie,” Roberts said. “But it’s not realistic to go there and expect him to be (Dodgers backup and Gold Glove shortstop) Miguel Rojas.”
Betts played just 16 games last year as a shortstop out of necessity, but he overcame that. barely. He called his performance “kind of raw,” and rightly so. It couldn’t have been anything else. This time, at least, it will take almost two weeks to learn something that would take a lifetime.
It’s high praise that the National League scouts gave him a chance.
“He has a chance to be successful,” the scout said.
Mookie is unique in that he doesn’t leave anything to chance. He often takes ground balls in the morning, during practice, during games, and after games. He’s rushing hard to get some work done in preparation for the March 20 season opener against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea. Rojas, an in-house replacement in case Betts proves unable to do this, comes to the rescue. He primarily helps with all the nuances of the position, which he explained are many.
“You’re going from one of the easiest positions on the field to one of the most difficult positions outside the catcher…you’ll never catch it,” Betts joked.
The Dodgers don’t need that because they have an All-Star player in Will Smith. This is a team with few weaknesses. But if they find it, Mookie will bury it. For now, forever, he’s that guy.
Betts is the type of person who gets bored when things are too easy. So this place is actually right up his alley.
“I enjoy the challenge,” he said.
He’s learning on the fly and picking up tips along the way. He says that in a few days he learned a lot.
“The most important thing I learned is that I can do it,” he said. “I believe I can do it.”
He may be good at everything on the baseball field, but sorry Boston, I still can’t believe he was traded.
He continues to have a presence in two clubhouses. His name is one that is constantly heard around the Red Sox, especially when the topic of regrets comes up. In the second-worst trade in Red Sox history (selling Babe Ruth counts as an even worse trade), the Red Sox acquired three players for Betts, the best of which was Alex. Verdugo was sent to the rival Yankees. The only player left on his contract is backup catcher Connor Wong.
They think about him, but he has moved on. But when asked, he said he met “great people” and had “great memories” from his time in Boston that he would cherish. But his move to LA was easy, and he quickly signed a 12-year contract worth $365 million. The Red Sox made an offer, but apparently it wasn’t to be when they made a stupid change.
“I’m a Dodger. I’m a Dodger for life,” Betts said. “And I play shortstop for the Dodgers.”
Permanently, for now, he will anyway.
