Los Angeles Dodgers: Right-handed bench bats that fit perfectly in LA
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Dodgers already have one of the best starting lineups for the 2020 season but could certainly use additions to the bench.
The bench bats on a baseball team can be just as important as the starting lineup, especially for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Not only is the bench the go-to option in big pinch-hit situations, but in the Dodgers’ case, it opens up the door to have platoons and give guys regular days off.
There are two types of players that the Dodgers bring in to be on the bench. The first is the versatile utility player and the Dodgers still have that in Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor, both of which can play anywhere on the field at any time.
The other is the veteran bat. David Freese was the prime example of this last season as was Russell Martin. Before them, it was Chase Utley.
The Dodgers are talented and young, which is the best position to be in, but they do not have that veteran bench bat right now with Freese retiring and Russell Martin being a free agent.
There are big-league ready options to replace them. Matt Beaty will be on the bench, Austin Barnes could be given another shot and Edwin Rios is big-league ready.
None of them are impact right-handed bats that can come in against a southpaw in big situations. Hernandez and Taylor fit that but oftentimes one of them is already in the starting lineup and they’re used more for their versatility.
With such a left-handed-heavy starting lineup, the Dodgers would benefit from exploring potential right-handed bench bat options. Here are three players that would give them exactly that and would fit perfectly in LA.