Dodgers Eye Infield Upgrade as Offseason Moves Loom
The Los Angeles Dodgers may be weighing an overhaul of their infield this offseason. Max Muncy has a $10 million club option for next season, a sensible safety net for a veteran leader and productive hitter, but his durability has been a concern. With Muncy entering his mid-30s at the start of next season, the club could be tempted to pursue a younger, more durable option by 2026.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Munetaka Murakami is expected to arrive this winter, a big-name slugger who could bring power to the lineup across the park and generate significant interest from multiple teams.
One potential fit the Dodgers could explore is Alex Bregman. Jim Bowden of The Athletic ranked Bregman highly on his list of the top 25 impending free agents this offseason. The 31-year-old is on track to opt out of his contract and seek a longer-term deal than the two years remaining at about $40 million annually. Bregman missed time with a quad issue this season but has posted a .299/.379/.542 line in 327 plate appearances, with 16 homers, 52 RBIs and a .917 OPS. His postseason résumé is well known to Dodgers fans, and he’d be viewed as an obvious on-paper upgrade at a premium position.
The question for the Dodgers is whether they’re prepared to invest heavily in a long-term deal for a player approaching his 32nd birthday. Bowden’s notes point to a number of contending teams—besides Boston, the Dodgers are listed among suitors alongside the Phillies, Yankees, Tigers, Mariners, and Mets—so competition for Bregman would be stiff and expensive.
What this could mean for the Dodgers is a decision point: stay with a veteran option like Muncy and add a high-end free agent, or pivot toward a younger core built around Murakami’s arrival and a potentially different infield backbone. Bregman, a proven performer with leadership value and a track record of success in big moments, would be a clear upgrade on paper, but the price tag and age trajectory will be key considerations for a franchise planning for the mid-to-late 2020s.
Summary: The Dodgers are reportedly evaluating an infield refresh this offseason, weighing Muncy’s club option against pursuing new blood such as Murakami and, potentially, Alex Bregman. The decision will hinge on how aggressively L.A. wants to invest in a long-term concrete upgrade versus maintaining continuity with veteran leadership.
Additional notes:
– If the Dodgers pursue Bregman, they’ll likely weigh his defensive position fit, durability, and how a long-term deal would align with Murakami’s arrival and the team’s broader roster plan.
– A positive outlook is possible if Bregman’s arrival boosts run production and postseason experience while Murakami provides a dynamic, high-ceiling offensive presence for years to come.
Overall evaluation: The article points toward meaningful offseason activity for the Dodgers in the infield, with potential for both a veteran presence and a shift toward a younger, powerful core.