Dave Roberts expects Mookie Betts to enter MVP conversation as Dodgers chase another title
As the Los Angeles Dodgers open spring training with ambitions of capturing a third consecutive World Series title, manager Dave Roberts has already identified a central storyline he believes will define the 2026 campaign.
That storyline centers on Mookie Betts, the 33-year-old shortstop whose transition to the infield has redefined both his defensive profile and his long-term value to the organization.
Speaking to media members this week, Roberts confidently stated that he expects Betts to be firmly in the National League MVP conversation by season’s end.
“I have no doubt about it,” Roberts said, emphasizing his belief that Betts will build upon last season’s defensive progress while elevating his offensive production.
Roberts made clear that the team’s ultimate goal remains another championship, yet he acknowledged that individual accolades often follow elite two-way consistency.
Betts’ move to shortstop last season was initially viewed as experimental, but his performance at the premium position exceeded expectations and added a new layer to his résumé.
Roberts suggested that with a full offseason to refine his footwork, positioning, and arm angles at short, Betts should only improve defensively in 2026.
Offensively, the manager believes the eight-time All-Star can rediscover the elite run-production levels that have historically placed him among baseball’s most complete players.
Last season, Betts appeared in 150 games, posting a .258 batting average and a .326 on-base percentage while collecting 152 hits, 20 home runs, and 82 RBIs.
Though those numbers reflect reliability rather than dominance, Roberts expects a more dynamic offensive campaign as Betts settles fully into his new defensive role.
The path to MVP, however, runs directly through his own clubhouse, where Shohei Ohtani continues to redefine award standards.
Ohtani has captured the MVP Award three consecutive seasons, including two with the Dodgers and one with the Los Angeles Angels, making him both teammate and primary obstacle.
Competing against Ohtani for the same honor presents a unique dynamic, as voters often gravitate toward historic statistical feats and two-way dominance.
Nevertheless, Betts’ skill set—elite defense at a premium position, consistent power, disciplined plate approach, and baserunning intelligence—keeps him squarely within legitimate contention.
The positional value of shortstop further strengthens his MVP candidacy, as excellence at that demanding spot amplifies overall WAR calculations and defensive impact metrics.
Roberts emphasized that Betts’ primary focus should remain health and championship contribution, trusting that awards will follow if those priorities are met.
Maintaining durability across a 162-game season will be critical, particularly given the physical demands of shortstop compared to right field.
Betts’ conditioning and baseball IQ have long been praised, and his adaptability has allowed him to thrive regardless of defensive alignment.
For the Dodgers, Betts’ potential MVP-caliber season would not only elevate individual accolades but reinforce their broader title aspirations.
With one of baseball’s deepest rosters, Los Angeles does not require a singular hero, yet a peak Betts campaign could create separation in tight divisional or postseason races.
The National League landscape remains competitive, but Betts’ blend of veteran experience and still-prime athleticism positions him as one of the few players capable of matching Ohtani’s statistical impact over a full season.
Ultimately, Roberts’ declaration signals confidence rather than pressure, reflecting belief that Betts’ versatility and professionalism align perfectly with MVP-level expectations.
If health cooperates and offensive production ticks upward, Mookie Betts could reassert himself among baseball’s elite award contenders while anchoring the Dodgers’ pursuit of another championship banner.
