Dodgers: A move to 2B makes sense for Corey Seager and his elbow

The Los Angeles Dodgers star player, Corey Seager, has been battling a sore elbow for weeks now. A move away from his natural shortstop makes the most sense.

Dodger fans, are you starting to get nervous? While the dreaded 11-game losing streak is over, there are still some serious concerns for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The pitching has gotten better, but the bats are still struggling to come back to mid-summer form. Since the beginning of September, the Dodgers are hitting a measly .210.

A prime component of this slump is the pain that shortstop Corey Seager is undergoing. Seager has been battling with a sore elbow for some time now and his fielding has taken a hit because of it. Although Dave Roberts said the pain isn’t affecting his swing, Seager has hit just .220 since the start of September.

Seager is visually nursing his arm as his throws have been offline and often times thrown without serious emphasis. At shortstop, this is especially problematic as he has the longest throw alongside the second baseman and is a key factor in relays to the plate. This is a serious issue as well, as Seager may receive elbow surgery in the offseason to avoid any long-term repercussions.

While rest may seem to be the best thing for Seager, Roberts stated that team doctors said otherwise.

“With something like this, the rest doesn’t necessarily help and the activity of keeping it warm is a benefit to Corey,” he said. “That’s the understanding I get from him and the doctors. I actually don’t see him taking a day even after we clinch.”

Coming from somebody will elbow issues in the past, this is not something the Dodgers should or can take lightly. My tendons in my elbow were so inflamed that they snapped, causing an avulsion fracture in my elbow in 2012. Although I irresponsibly did not undergo a full rehab, I still feel pains shooting in my arms by doing something as small as typing too much.

Seager has the best doctors around him and it will never get this far, but the Dodgers should be wary of exactly how much they are using him. That is why a move to second base makes the most sense for Seager, even if it is not his natural position.

Seager has not seen a single inning at second base in his professional career. A move to third base down the line seems to be beneficial to Seager, but now, a move to the other middle infield spot is necessary, at least for the rest of this season.

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Anyone that has played baseball knows that the difference between second and short isn’t too drastic. Sure, you have a different site line and you need to turn your body at second, but the throw is much shorter and will only benefit Seager. This way, Seager can keep his arm active while avoiding any deep throw in the 5-6 hole that will complicate things.

Plus, this fixes an issue for the Dodgers; who to play at second base. Logan Forsythe has not been great this season and Chase Utley can be hit and miss (although Utley would be my choice).

With this move, the Dodgers can move Chris Taylor to his natural shortstop position and bring in a platoon of either Andre Ethier, Joc Pederson, Curtis Granderson and even Adrian Gonzalez (moving Cody Bellinger to left field).

Ethier has thrived since his return from injury, so starting in left field may be the safest bet. Heck, even against lefties the Dodgers can start Forsythe in left field. He has played three games this year before and has not made a single error in 99 and 1/3 innings played there. If Andrew Toles was healthy, this would be even easier.

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The Dodgers may have to get tricky down the line with their rosters, but it is worth it for Seager and his future. Los Angeles needs Seager’s bat in the lineup and should protect his arm by moving him to second base.