MLB Insider Expresses Concern About Mookie Betts’ Play and the Dodgers’ “Swing & Miss” Defense

The Los Angeles Dodgers have long been a staple of success in Major League Baseball, with their combination of power hitting, sharp pitching, and strategic defense. However, as the 2025 season approaches, concerns are beginning to surface about the team’s play—specifically regarding the performance of one of their brightest stars, Mookie Betts, and their defense as a whole. An MLB insider has recently expressed significant worry about Betts’ performance and how the Dodgers’ defensive strategy, particularly their “swing and miss” approach, could negatively impact their ability to remain competitive in the postseason.

While Mookie Betts remains one of the league’s premier talents, the insider’s concerns speak to larger systemic issues within the Dodgers’ roster, including an overreliance on strikeouts and defensive lapses that could prove costly as the team pushes for another World Series appearance. As one of the most widely respected players in baseball, Betts has carried the weight of high expectations since his arrival in Los Angeles, but the looming questions about his ability to maintain his elite level of play—paired with the team’s defensive struggles—are sparking renewed debates within the fanbase and the league.

Mookie Betts: The Struggles Beneath the Surface

Mookie Betts’ first few seasons with the Dodgers have been undeniably stellar. The 2020 World Series champion and 5-time Gold Glove winner has lived up to the hype since his blockbuster trade from the Boston Red Sox. His impressive batting, fielding, and leadership abilities have made him a cornerstone of the Dodgers’ lineup. However, the insider’s concerns highlight the possibility that Betts may not be performing at the same MVP-caliber level that fans have come to expect.

While Betts continues to put up solid numbers, there are signs that his play may be regressing in certain areas. His once-dominant bat has been slightly quieter over the past season, as his batting average and slugging percentages have dipped. These statistics, while not disastrous, suggest that Betts may not be quite the same offensive powerhouse he was in his prime seasons. In particular, his strikeout rate has seen an uptick, which reflects a larger trend in modern baseball where even the most seasoned hitters struggle to consistently put the ball in play.

What may be most concerning, however, is Betts’ defense, an area of his game where he has long excelled. As a multi-time Gold Glove outfielder, Betts’ elite defense has been one of the most reliable aspects of his overall game. But even in this area, there have been growing concerns. His defensive metrics have taken a slight downturn, and with age potentially starting to affect his agility, it is possible that he may not be able to maintain his previous level of excellence in the outfield. This is particularly relevant for a Dodgers team that relies heavily on its defense to complement its offensive firepower.

Betts is undoubtedly still an elite player, but as the Dodgers continue to fine-tune their roster for a potential championship run, these small cracks in his game have raised questions about whether he can maintain his all-around brilliance in the years ahead.

The Dodgers’ “Swing and Miss” Defense: An Emerging Problem

While Betts’ performance has drawn the focus, the insider also highlighted a concerning trend in the Dodgers’ overall defensive strategy—what they’ve referred to as their “swing and miss” defense. Essentially, this refers to the team’s increasing reliance on a defensive style that has shifted away from more traditional methods of securing outs, opting instead for a strategy that prioritizes strikeouts and pitchers overpowering hitters.

The Dodgers have long been known for their strong pitching staff, led by ace Clayton Kershaw and a lineup that features a deep rotation with several capable arms. However, the shift toward a “swing and miss” defensive strategy, while successful in certain situations, has had its drawbacks. Relying on strikeouts means that the team is less dependent on strong defensive plays from their fielders, but this shift could prove risky when pitching is not at its best or when fielding is called upon in clutch moments.

In games where the Dodgers’ pitchers are unable to generate strikeouts, their defensive strategy has faltered. They’ve become prone to misplays, missed opportunities on easy ground balls, and lapses in communication in the outfield. While they have solid defensive players in key positions, the reliance on strikeouts has contributed to a defensive approach that is not as polished as it needs to be, especially in high-leverage moments.

This is particularly problematic when the Dodgers are facing teams that excel at making contact and putting pressure on pitchers through aggressive baserunning and solid defense. Teams with strong fundamental baseball could expose the Dodgers’ weaknesses, especially when they are forced to rely on defensive plays rather than simply overpowering the opposition with a pitcher’s arsenal.

The “swing and miss” defense is a double-edged sword. If the Dodgers’ pitchers can’t deliver strikeouts on a consistent basis, they may find themselves vulnerable in situations where defense is paramount. This is where the concerns about Mookie Betts’ defense come into play. Even a player of his caliber can only do so much when the entire team’s defensive approach is based on a risky, strikeout-heavy philosophy. The Dodgers must find a better balance between pitching dominance and defensive reliability to remain competitive.

The Impact on the Dodgers’ 2025 Championship Hopes

With all these concerns in mind, it’s natural to ask: what does this mean for the Dodgers’ championship aspirations in 2025? While the team remains a formidable contender in the National League, there are clear weaknesses that could prove costly in the postseason. The team’s reliance on a “swing and miss” defensive approach may not hold up against teams that excel at putting the ball in play and putting pressure on pitchers. This is especially true when it comes to the postseason, where small mistakes are often magnified, and one missed play can be the difference between a series win and an early exit.

Mookie Betts’ continued production at a high level will be crucial to the Dodgers’ success, as he has been one of the team’s offensive leaders for years. But if his defensive metrics continue to decline and his bat struggles to return to MVP levels, the team will need other players to step up and provide additional support. The Dodgers’ lineup has been stacked with talent in recent seasons, but with the way the game has evolved, they may need to rethink their strategy on both sides of the ball to adjust to the changing dynamics of Major League Baseball.

Additionally, the team will need to address the balance between pitching and defense. The Dodgers cannot afford to rely solely on strikeouts to win games, especially in the postseason. While their pitchers, like Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and Julio Urias, have the talent to rack up strikeouts, it’s imperative that they do not lose sight of the importance of efficient, solid defense. A team with playoff aspirations must be able to count on its fielders to make routine plays and limit mistakes. If the Dodgers continue to neglect these fundamentals, it may cost them in the postseason, where every play counts.

A Path Forward: What the Dodgers Must Do

To address these concerns, the Dodgers need to reassess their defensive strategy moving forward. While they can’t abandon their reliance on pitching dominance, they must place more emphasis on solidifying their defense. This could include more work on positioning, communication, and fielding fundamentals. With the potential decline in Betts’ defensive performance, the team should explore ways to protect their top players, ensuring that their fielding remains solid across the board.

On offense, Mookie Betts will need to rediscover his MVP-level consistency to ensure the Dodgers can compete at the highest level. The addition of some younger talent and fresh faces could inject some new life into the lineup, and Betts can act as a mentor to these players, further adding to his leadership role.

The Dodgers’ front office also may need to consider bolstering the roster in areas where they are weakest. While their offense is generally potent, adding a few more reliable defenders could help offset some of the growing concerns surrounding their defense. Making strategic moves to enhance the team’s defensive efficiency, especially as it relates to fundamental plays, could go a long way toward improving the Dodgers’ chances of going deep in the playoffs.