FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts, right, hits a solo home run as Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Joe Jimenez, left, watches along with catcher Sean Murphy, second from left, and home plate umpire Dan Bellino, second from right, during the seventh inning of a baseball game Aug. 31, 2023, in Los Angeles. Betts is likely to become the regular second baseman for the Dodgers in 2024, manager Dave Roberts told MLB Network, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers' Jason Heyward hits a solo home run off Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert during the first inning of a baseball game Sept. 17, 2023, in Seattle. The Dodgers are bringing back Heyward on a one-year deal. (AP Photo/John Froschauer, File)FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts looks on before Game 1 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Oct. 7, 2023, in Los Angeles. Mookie Betts is likely to become the regular second baseman for the Dodgers in 2024, Roberts told MLB Network, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts, right, hits a solo home run as Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Joe Jimenez, left, watches along with catcher Sean Murphy, second from left, and home plate umpire Dan Bellino, second from right, during the seventh inning of a baseball game Aug. 31, 2023, in Los Angeles. Betts is likely to become the regular second baseman for the Dodgers in 2024, manager Dave Roberts told MLB Network, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Gold Glove outfielder Mookie Betts is set to become the regular second baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, manager Dave Roberts told MLB Network on Monday.
A strong-armed outfielder, Betts played 107 games in right field for the reigning NL West champions this past season and 70 games at second. Roberts confirmed his plan in a text message to the AP on Monday.
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“I think it's pretty safe to say that No. 50, Mookie Betts, is going to be our everyday second baseman,” Roberts told MLB Network. “It's one of those things where he's a Gold Glover out in right field, but I think that when you're talking about putting together a roster and someone who can be so offensive at second base, you can get more games out of him if he is playing second base.”
With the Dodgers bringing back Jason Heyward on a one-year deal, they have him as an option in right, the manager said.
Roberts' scheduled media availability at the winter meetings isn't until Tuesday afternoon in Nashville, which happens to be Betts' hometown.
The 31-year-old Betts, who also appeared at shortstop in 16 games, hit a career-best 39 home runs with 107 RBIs — second-most in his 10-year big league career — while batting .307. He has won six Gold Gloves, all in the outfield.
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