Positional changes often come with growing pains, even for the game’s elite. It’s no secret that shifting roles on the field can disrupt rhythm, affect focus, and sometimes seep into offensive production. The same goes for the Dodgers’ slugger Mookie Betts. He made the full-time move to shortstop, and the spotlight has been intense ever since. The expectations are even higher.

Sitting with 8 home runs and a .259 BA, Betts hasn’t quite found that familiar MVP-caliber groove at the plate, at least not yet. So what’s holding him back? Is the demanding switch to one of the game’s most complex positions weighing him down? Well, after weeks of speculation, the man himself has finally addressed the growing concerns.

“Last year I was about to win MVP so you can’t argue about that and I was doing way more work last year than now so no that’s not the case i mean you can try and point out and blame it whatever you want to do but there’s no excuses it’s just a matter of me getting it,” Betts said.

Well, Betts is brutally honest about his slump at the batter’s box. While there are speculations that a shift from second base to shortstop is holding him up, he himself doesn’t believe that.

Over 116 games last year, Betts slashed a strong .289/.372/.491 with 19 homers and 75 RBIs, proving he could still produce elite offensive numbers despite switching to one of the most demanding positions. And then you must credit him for October, where he delivered again.

In the 2024 World Series against the Yankees, Betts batted .278. Fans still remember his infield single and the decisive sacrifice fly in Game 5, as that clutch effort helped seal the title for the Dodgers. He did all that while playing shortstop.

So, when questions are raised about whether Betts’ move to shortstop is holding him back in 2025, it’s worth pointing out that he already played at an MVP-caliber level from that same position last year.

The current dip in power or production isn’t necessarily tied to the position change for Mookie Betts. It’s a slump that Shohei Ohtani faced a few weeks ago, and something that Juan Soto is facing. Betts is no exception. Credit goes to him for taking responsibility without blaming external reasons.

For the Dodgers, they are in a comfortable position to offer more time to Betts to settle.

The Dodgers are too good to get unsettled by Betts’ slump

Currently leading the NL West by a 38-25 record, the Dodgers are in a safe place to secure a postseason berth. Moreover, their offense is too good to offer Mookie Betts more time to settle. For instance, the series against the Yankees went in favour of the Dodgers, and that too without much contributions from Betts.

We didn’t see any towering hits from Betts, but the Dodgers took away the game. So, Why make changes with your staple player when it is not costing the team’s performance?

But the trend of weird injuries is typical of Betts. Remember his miss from the Tokyo Series due to illness? He also missed the series opener against the Yankees due to a fractured toe when he banged his toe against a piece of furniture at his house. But since it’s the Dodgers, they managed even without him.

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With Betts out, Kim Hye-seong stepped in and didn’t miss a beat. He delivered a 4-hit performance, including 1 home run, 2 RBIs, 3 runs scored, and a walk. Now, that’s not just filling in, but taking over the spotlight.

It’s this sort of next-man-up mentality that has defined the Dodgers in recent years. Even when their superstars are sidelined, they manage to maintain momentum and keep the offense rolling.

While Betts’ absence could’ve been a concern, Kim’s breakout performance reminded everyone why the Dodgers remain one of the most resilient lineups in baseball.