As the offseason continues, let’s talk a little bit about the Dodgers infield. Specifically, who’s on second base. Or perhaps What’s on second base, even if that might confuse Elizabeth Holmes.
Alex Freeland had the most starts (67) and defensive innings (579) at second base for the Dodgers in 2026, the bulk of that coming in the first two and a half months of the season when Tommy Edman was on the injured list following ankle surgery. Edman on the season finished second on the team in second base starts (42)
and innings (386 1/3), and the now-retired Miguel Rojas made 36 starts with 302 1/3 innings at second base. All three were above average defensively at the position by both Defensive Runs Saved and Fielding Run Value.
The Dodgers were squarely in the middle of the pack among major league teams with 2.2 Wins Above Replacement at second base, ranked 15th as measured by FanGraphs. That value was mostly fueled by the defense, as Dodgers second baseman ranked 20th among 30 teams with an 89 wRC+ and 22nd in slugging percentage (.358), while 15th in both on-base percentage (.318) and batting average (.249).
Dodgers second basemen combined for nine home runs, 28th in baseball, ahead of only the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals.
Rojas is now retired. The Dodgers just claimed utility player Christian Cairo off waivers and he could conceivably fill in at times at second base, once he makes his major league debut. The Dodgers still have Edman and Freeland, plus Hyeseong Kim, though Kim has yet to show he can hit major league pitching for extended periods of time.
For a team relatively with Hall of Famers locked into positions at designated hitter (Shohei Ohtani) and first base (Freddie Freeman), plus three starting outfielders in place and beloved veterans in the infield (Mookie Betts, Max Muncy) and catcher (Will Smith), second base stands out as perhaps the easiest path for the Dodgers to improve in 2027.
To that end, Katie Woo at The Athletic on Wednesday reported the Dodgers are seeking a right-handed-hitting infielder which “would free up Tommy Edman to serve in more of a utility role, allow Mookie Betts to get a blow when needed and allow for more depth alongside Alex Freeland.” On Thursday, Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic reported two infielders the Dodgers have shown interest in — Maurico Dubón and Isiah Kiner-Falefa, each of whom can play multiple positions.
Which is to say second base could once again feature a number of players seeing time at the position. Today’s question is which player do you think will lead the Dodgers in games started at second base in 2027?
