Can the Dodgers Fix Their Outfield With Available Options?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are marching toward the postseason with one glaring concern — their corner outfield defense. As the regular season winds down, manager Dave Roberts faces a delicate balancing act: keeping Mookie Betts solidifying shortstop, where he’s been elite, while trying to plug defensive gaps in left and right field.

Slumps and injuries have made things worse. The Dodgers are relying on temporary fixes and hopeful returns instead of stable solutions.

The Dodgers’ Corner Outfield Crisis

Normally, this franchise is all about depth. Suddenly, they’re searching for consistent outfield answers.

Their corner defenders have struggled both defensively and offensively. That’s a problem that could haunt them in October.

Mookie Betts – Thriving at Shortstop

Betts, one of the game’s most dynamic players, has excelled at shortstop in 2024. He ranks third in MLB in defensive runs saved at the position.

This success makes Roberts hesitant to shift him back to right field. Betts’ range and sprint speed have dipped a bit in recent seasons, which doesn’t help the outfield situation.

While he’s still a fallback option out there, the Dodgers want his impact and steadiness in the infield.

Underperformance in the Corners

The main issues lie with the team’s other outfielders:

• Teoscar Hernández – He brings a potent bat but struggles defensively in right field, with advanced metrics painting a pretty rough picture.
• Michael Conforto – He’s having a tough year on both sides, hitting just .186 — the lowest average among qualified MLB hitters — and playing below-average defense.

The ideal alignment would see Hernández moved to left field, limiting the defensive damage. Conforto’s role would shrink, but that only works if someone else can step up in the outfield.

Searching for In-House Solutions

The Dodgers have tested a few internal options. Consistency, though, remains elusive.

There are glimmers of hope within the roster and recent acquisitions. Maybe something clicks soon?

Alex Call’s Promising Start

They picked up Alex Call at the trade deadline. He’s made the most of his limited chances so far.

In just eight starts, he’s posted a strong .281 batting average and looked steady on defense. The sample size is tiny, but if Call keeps producing, he could earn a bigger role down the stretch.

Rehabilitation and Positional Experiments

Injuries have sidelined several potential outfield contributors. Both Kiké Hernández and offseason signing Hyeseong Kim are rehabbing in Triple-A, experimenting with outfield roles to offer some defensive flexibility.

If they return soon, Roberts could adjust his defensive setup and ease the burden on current starters. That would be a welcome change.

The Tommy Edman Factor

The most intriguing possibility remains Tommy Edman. The versatile utility man could provide an instant defensive upgrade in center field and maybe spark the offense a bit too.

Unfortunately, his comeback from an ankle injury has been delayed. Nobody’s quite sure if he’ll be available for October.

Postseason Implications

October baseball really turns up the heat on defense. One bad route in the outfield or a missed cutoff can flip a tight game into heartbreak.

With elite teams waiting, the Dodgers know their corner outfield situation could be the difference between a championship push and an early exit. That pressure isn’t going away anytime soon.

Right now, they’re playing the long game. They’re hoping health, versatility, or maybe even a surprise breakout from their veterans can patch things up.

The clock’s ticking, though. Fans and analysts are watching, waiting to see if Los Angeles figures out its biggest issue before the postseason spotlight burns brightest.

 
Here is the source article for this story: News Analysis: The Dodgers have an outfield problem. But do they have the options to fix it?