CHESS MATCH IN LA: Dodgers Plot $186M Bo Bichette Shift to 2B, Realigning Entire Defense.vc
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off their World Series victory, are not resting on their laurels. Instead, the front office is reportedly plotting a radical, high-stakes defensive realignment centered around Bo Bichette, the $186 million free-agent shortstop target.
The plan is a tactical masterpiece that leverages the team’s massive roster flexibility to address two major weaknesses simultaneously: second base offense and outfield stability.
The $186 Million Shift: Bichette to Second Base
While Bichette has played shortstop almost exclusively throughout his career, several teams—including the Dodgers—view him as a better long-term fit at second base due to his defensive metrics at short. His projected contract value, estimated at eight years, $186 million to $208 million, is being justified not just by his bat, but by his fit in this new defensive scheme:
- 2B:Bo Bichette
- Rationale: Bichette provides an enormous offensive upgrade at a position where the Dodgers ranked 24th in OPS in 2025. This move protects against his occasional defensive lapses at shortstop.
- SS:Mookie Betts
- Rationale: Betts, the Gold Glove finalist in his first full season at shortstop in 2025, remains the anchor. Moving Bichette to second preserves Betts’s highly successful shift to the middle infield.
The Domino Effect: Edman and Pages to the Outfield
This core infield alignment allows the Dodgers to make two crucial, cascading moves to plug holes in the outfield:
- Tommy Edman to Center Field (CF): Tommy Edman, currently the primary second baseman, is a natural athlete with extensive experience in center field. By shifting him to the grass, the Dodgers acquire a proven, high-quality defensive center fielder—a position that often requires elite range and stability. Edman can also pivot back to a super-utility role if needed, especially if Miguel Rojas re-signs.
- Andy Pages to Corner Outfield (RF/LF): Prospect Andy Pages, who had a breakout year but is better suited for a corner outfield spot, would be given a more consistent role in right or left field. This maximizes his powerful bat while putting him in a defensive position where he is better suited to succeed, rather than exposing him in center.
This proposed realignment, while complex, underscores the Dodgers’ commitment to winning a third consecutive World Series. They are willing to move their players around like chess pieces to maximize talent, stability, and offensive production across the entire diamond.
