Dodgers' Mookie Betts Says Doubters of Move to Starting Shortstop 'Makes It Fun'

Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts has heard the doubts about his move to shortstop and is using them as motivation.

Speaking to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Betts said the skepticism about him playing a new position is "what makes it fun" to take on the challenge.

"Somebody's going to be right," he added. "We'll find out."

Betts spent the majority of his career playing right field prior to last season. Injuries and and roster needs forced him to play second base for most of the second half of the 2023 campaign.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced in December the plan going into 2024 was for Betts to be their everyday second baseman.

"I've never considered myself a right fielder," Betts told reporters in July 2023. "I just play right field. I've always considered myself a middle infielder."

Betts did play 98 innings at shortstop last season. It was his first time playing the position in the big leagues. The expectation was Gavin Lux, who missed all of 2023 due to a torn ACL, would return to his post as the starting shortstop this season.

Instead, Roberts announced on March 8 it would Betts opening the regular season at short and Lux at second base. The Dodgers skipper called the move "permanent, for now."

The decision came as Lux has been having issues making throws to first base this spring. His primary problem has been short-hopping throws to first base. He has looked better recently since switching to the right side of the infield.

Betts has been a terrific defensive player no matter where he's played on the diamond. He won six Gold Glove awards playing in the outfield. His six defensive runs saved at second base last season was tied for seventh among all players with at least 450 innings played at the position.

Shortstop is going to present another difficult challenge for Betts, but he's proven himself to be adaptable to anything on a baseball diamond throughout his career.