Los Angeles Dodgers: Max Muncy is the biggest wild card in 2019

Everyone has been bashing their heads trying to figure out what the Los Angeles Dodgers are trying to do and forgetting about the odd situation with Max Muncy.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made some notable moves this offseason but are still keeping most fans in the dark about what the team is really trying to accomplish in the process.

After freeing up money by trading fan favorites, who were on expiring deals nonetheless, to the Cincinnati Reds, it appeared as if the Dodgers were primed to spend. However, with the Bryce Harper reports virtually nonexistent and every rumor stating otherwise, it appears as if the Dodgers are content with not spending.

The only notable acquisitions that are already on the big league roster are Joe Kelly and Russell Martin. Two solid players, but not players that will put the Dodgers over the top.

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This has led to confusion around what the team is really trying to do this winter and has taken all of the fans’ attention away from another glaring question entering 2019, what in the world are the Los Angeles Dodgers going to do with Max Muncy?

Max Muncy had one of the greatest breakout years ever for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019. After spending his entire professional career as a AAA replacement-level guy, Muncy burst onto the scene and slugged 35 home runs with a .973 OPS in 137 games.

A full season’s worth of action and Muncy likely would have crossed the 40 home run threshold. He had five career home runs prior.

The problem with Muncy is that the Los Angeles Dodgers already have a first baseman in Cody Bellinger and a third baseman in Justin Turner, which are Muncy’s two best positions.

That leads to a forced fit for the Dodgers, who are either going to have to platoon Muncy at second base with Enrique Hernandez or Chris Taylor or are going to have to play Muncy at first and Cody Bellinger in the outfield.

Either way, if Muncy flounders, it throws a wrench in the Dodgers’ entire plans.

If Muncy is too poor defensively or his offense is no longer worth putting him at second, it leaves the Dodgers with two right-handed second baseman that are not the best against right-handed pitching.

Not only that but it seriously limits both Hernandez and Taylor in being utility guys all over the field, which is where they are the most valuable.

If he is slumping and is the team’s primary first baseman it is going to force one of two things. First, it could make David Freese the full-time first baseman which, despite his success against left-handed pitching, probably should not be a thing.

Or the Dodgers could move Bellinger back to first, opening a hole in the outfield. The Dodgers are already running thin on outfielders and should not have to rely on Taylor and Hernandez to both start everyday or to use Andrew Toles as an everyday option.

Even with Alex Verdugo and Joc Pederson, the Dodgers are short-manned in the outfield. Moving Bellinger is something that helps that cause but something that can lead to a ton of game planning issues if Muncy returns to his old ways.

Do the Los Angeles Dodgers sacrifice fielding and let Muncy have full reign over at second base or do they take Bellinger away from first base, where he is Gold Glove-caliber, and risk Muncy’s bat completely floundering and there being no answer for the outfield?

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Sound off in the comments down below with what you think the Los Angeles Dodgers should do with Max Muncy.

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