Starting today, I will preview a couple of positions a day as we approach 2026. I am going to focus on what could happen at the positions, possible trades, and possible prospects at those positions. Here we go. No surprises here.
Catcher
Players who could see time here:
- Will Smith – All-Star Starter, and there has been no talk of having him play any other position, even on a part-time basis.
- Dalton Rushing – Capable backup who has yet to show his value. He is not being pushed… yet!
- Chuckie Robinson – He is on OKC’s roster for emergencies and at 31 years old has only 130 ABs in the Show
- Eliezer Alfonzo – While he is 5 years younger and a switch-hitter, a lot will have to go wrong for him to appear in a game.
Darkhorse – Ben Rortvedt may not make the Reds roster, and the Dodgers could look to get him back.
First Base
Players who could see time here:
- Freddie Freeman – 1B belongs to Freddie, but (a) he is allegedly having some procedures that could cost him time early in the season; and (b) he is going to be 37 next year, so more rest is anticipated. His contract calls for him to make $27 million in 2026 and 2027, and then he will be a free agent at age 38. I will not even speculate whether he has a year or two left in the tank until that time comes. A lot can happen between now and then…
- Dalton Rushing – Not only is he the backup catcher, but he is also the backup 1B. I look for him to play a lot there early in the season. Were Freddie to go down for any significant time, the job might be Dalton’s to lose!
- Ryan Ward – If he makes the team, he can also play 1B. However, he is also LH, as is Rushing.
Darkhorses: Max Muncy – He can play 1B, but then who plays 3B? Josue DePaula – Many think he will end up at 1B, but it has not happened yet, and it appears unlikely in 2026.
2026 is a critical year for Dalton Rushing. He should get a lot of playing time in the Spring and possibly subbing for Freddie early in the season. If he does well, the Dodgers will carve out more at-bats for him. If not, he becomes a solid backup catcher with power. I can see him getting 350 ABs in 2026, but that is contingent upon him hitting .240+ with 15 big flies.
Max was a pretty good first baseman before Freddie joined the team.
If Freddie winds up on the DL, Max could shift to 1B and Edman or Rojas could cover 3B.
Mark, will some with more knowledge than me please explain why we are not trying to save will smiths bat by playing him at least part time at another position. His stat history shows a clear drop in the second half. Rushing is at the ready. We need Smith fresh for the postseason. There must be something I am missing.
Perhaps he’s not good at another position?
How would they know?
These things called practices?
Maybe this is the year? First, Dalton Rushing has to prove that he can be the everyday catcher.
This is his time to shine, and if he can, I think Smith will likely see other opportunities.
Details below….
Will Smith is the best catcher in baseball and there’s little doubt.
Agreed! But this is not a vacuum.
He’s not better than cal Raleigh on either side of the ball.
Many catches, like Sean Murphy, Salavador Perez, Cal Raleigh, Tyler Stephenson, Alejandro Kirk, Danny Jansen, are all over 230 pounds, in addition to most being over 6′ tall.
Will Smith is 5′ 10″ tall and 195.
Catching beats the hell out of him. In 2024, he played in 126 games. Last year, it was 110 games. He is not the best catcher in baseball if he is not on the field… and BTW, Cal Raleigh is the best!
I’d like to see Will catch about 90 games and Dalton catch 72. Will can play 2B, 3B or LF if given the chance. He is a good athlete, of slight build. Dalton Rushing is an inch taller and 25 pounds heavier. As I said, catching beats the hell out of you. Will Smith has an elite bat – use it!
Will. has the arm to play 3rd base. He also has the glove! I would love to see him play some 3rd against left handed pitchers with Dalton catching. Sign Bichette NOW! If Will can play some 3rd, no reason for Dalton to play any outfield. Relieving Will,Freddie, and yes , give ohtani a day off after pitching and let Dalton DH! Plenty of options available for him to get the AB’s he needs.
I’m sure there is conversation about his potentially changing positions. After Muncy’s contract is up this season, we have Freeland as a potential option, Logan Wagner [who was just in A+] and a host of young, unproven, toolsy prospects in Morales, Harlan & Joendry Vargas. But those guys are 2-3 years away.
2027 Dodgers 3B is an open job.
Could Will Smith channel his inner Ron Cey and stand on the dirt for nine innings?
I played SS until my early 30s, but as I aged, I knew I had to move, so I moved to 3B.
3B was not easy, but it was easier than SS, and much of it was reaction time. I think Will could learn to play a Solid 3B.
However, I am not going to say he should stop Catching… just not so much of it!
TRUTH
Yeah, leave him behind tha plate for at least 2 more years! He’s an elite defender who can hit! Start the transition slowly , but start it this year a little at a time. He’s probably going to be just as good as Max, maybe better!
Everyone is so quick to count out Muncy. I say put Will at 2nd. Muncy has 3 good years left.
I hope!
The problem with Muncy is his inability to be healthy and contribute a full year or close to it on the field. I’d be surprised if Muncy is with the Dodgers in 2027. A lot will depend on his health and production. AF is NOT afraid to let fan favorites depart.
Not with us.
We’re gradually going to have to get younger. Muncy then Freddie/Teo . . . It will happen.
Some of that will happen with transition.
Some will happen with trades and free agency.
It is evolution.
It’s like an addiction. You want to get younger but veterans are right there
The silliness knows no bounds
What do the Dodgers do with Bobby Miller in 2026? His stats in the minor leagues are awful and his trade value will not bring anything back worth talking about. He has also one remaining option. How he has regressed since being drafted. What I’ve witnessed is the physical talent is there but NOT the mental part of the game when things start going wrong. His inability to throw strikes consistently is maddening.
Maybe he just needs to learn a couple of new pitches
Bobby Miller reminds me of me when I was young. He throws 100 MPH with no movement. Can’t land breaking pitches. Any MLB hitter can hit a fastball.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has publicly stated he wants to see Miller improve his emotional control and pitch execution. While the organization has mental skills coaches (such as Geoff Miller, who previously worked for the Phillies and Pirates), it is not publicly known whether Bobby Miller is using these resources in a one-on-one, ongoing capacity.
I think he ends up getting released.
JMO, but I think the only way Miller has any chance of succeeding is to do it with another organization, preferably one that isn’t very competitive right now and isn’t real deep in pitching.
He may never be able to overcome his emotional shortcomings on the mound but he certainly won’t do it with the Dodgers where every poor outing moves him farther down a very deep stack of pitchers, all fighting for the same few spots with the big club.
I’d love to see him become a usable bullpen arm.
On my way home to Colorado. Saw Song Sung Blue. Excellent movie, I highly recommend it.