The Dodgers' infield for the 2026 season is looking solid on the surface, with future Hall of Famers Freddie Freeman (first base) and Mookie Betts (shortstop) leading the charge. Tommy Edman (second base) and Max Muncy (third base) are also key players. However, as the team retools for the upcoming season, the age and health of these players must be considered. By 2026, Freeman will be 37, Muncy 36, and Betts 34, with Edman as the youngest at 32. Each of these players has faced injuries, with Edman's ankle issues and Muncy's assorted injuries impacting his availability. Despite the recent $10M option extension for Muncy, the Dodgers may explore younger alternatives at third base.
Free agency provides an opportunity to address this need. Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) offers two potential candidates: Munetaka Murakami (26, with high strike-out rates and marginal fielding) and Kazuma Okamoto (30, a disciplined right-handed hitter with power and better fielding skills). Both players are eligible to sign with an MLB team within their respective 45-day windows. While Murakami is a lefty slugger, Okamoto's versatility and positional flexibility make him a more appealing option for the Dodgers, especially if they sign lefty-slugger Kyle Tucker for right field.
Another strategy is trading for a younger, experienced third baseman. St. Louis Cardinals utility player Brendan Donovan (29, a lefty hitter with versatility at third base, second base, left field, and shortstop) is a strong candidate. Donovan's ideal position as a number nine hitter in front of Shohei Ohtani further enhances his value. With the Cardinals' rebuilding efforts, Donovan is rumored to be available, making him a potential trade target for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers' infield strategy for 2026 involves a mix of free agency and trades to balance age, health, and positional flexibility, ensuring a competitive lineup for the upcoming season.
