As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for the 2026 season, their infield on paper appears solid, anchored by future Hall of Famers Freddie Freeman at first base and Mookie Betts at shortstop, providing a blend of experience, leadership, and consistent production.
If Betts remains in the infield and does not return to centerfield, Tommy Edman is expected to slide into second base, while third base remains the domain of Max Muncy, a player known for power but also recurring injuries over the past two seasons.
The current backup options in the infield, Hyeseong Kim and rookie Alex Freeland, are unproven at the major league level, raising questions about depth and reliability should any of the starters miss time during the long 162-game season.
While the lineup looks strong on paper, age and health are looming concerns for the Dodgers, as Freeman will be 37, Muncy 36, Betts 34, and Edman 32 by the start of the 2026 postseason, all of whom have battled injuries in 2025.
Freeman and Betts managed to remain relatively productive despite age, but Edman’s recurring ankle injury frequently sidelined him on a day-to-day basis, limiting the team’s flexibility in managing lineups and defensive assignments.
Muncy has been particularly vulnerable, playing only 53% of regular season games over the past two seasons due to assorted injuries, though he still produced 19 home runs and 67 RBIs in the 100 games he did play in 2025.
Despite exercising Muncy’s $10 million option for 2026, the Dodgers may explore strategies to get younger and healthier at third base, balancing the desire for production with the need to minimize injury risk over a long season.
Free agency has emerged as a critical tool in roster construction for the Dodgers, with attention turning to Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for potential third-base upgrades, particularly Munetaka Murakami, who will be 26 next season, and Kazuma Okamoto, who will turn 30.
Murakami is the higher-profile player, known as a left-handed slugger with substantial power, but he carries high strikeout rates and has been a marginal defender at the hot corner, which could limit his overall impact for a championship-caliber team like the Dodgers.
Okamoto, while slightly older, may be the more suitable fit for Los Angeles, offering right-handed power, better defense, and positional flexibility, including the ability to play left field when Muncy or Freeland is manning third base.
Should the Dodgers also acquire left-handed slugger Kyle Tucker for right field, Okamoto would help balance the lineup by providing a righty-lefty mix in the batting order, maintaining strategic flexibility for manager Dave Roberts throughout the season.
Another option for the Dodgers is a trade to bring in a younger, versatile third baseman with major league experience, with St. Louis Cardinals utility player Brendan Donovan emerging as a potential target due to his ability to play multiple positions.
Donovan, who turns 29 in January, can handle third base, second base, left field, and even shortstop in emergencies, making him an attractive option for a team valuing depth, flexibility, and matchups against elite pitching.
Additionally, Donovan’s left-handed bat would slot well as a number nine hitter ahead of Shohei Ohtani in the order, providing lineup balance and creating more opportunities for productive at-bats in high-leverage situations.
With the Cardinals reportedly open to trading Donovan as part of their rebuilding program, the Dodgers have a chance to add a young, versatile piece without sacrificing long-term plans, ensuring both infield stability and postseason readiness.
Overall, while the Dodgers’ infield on paper is experienced and capable, questions surrounding age, injuries, and depth make free-agent signings or trades a priority to protect against potential gaps during the 2026 season.
The balance of youth, health, and flexibility will be critical for Los Angeles as they aim to compete at the highest level, keeping Muncy, Freeman, and Betts productive while supplementing the lineup with strategic acquisitions at third base.
