Mookie Betts wants to be the Dodgers’ shortstop for the rest of his career

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts revealed his plans for the rest of his career as a defenseman after making a successful transition from right field to the infield.

During DodgerFest, Betts revealed to Dodgers Nation’s own Doug McKain that he wants to end his career at shortstop.

Mookie Betts just told me his goal is to play shortstop for the Dodgers for the rest of his career. Most players change shortstops at the age Mookie started playing shortstop. It’s one of the most incredible developments in baseball this past season.

— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) January 31, 2026

Betts spent most of his career in right field, becoming a Gold Glove winner at that position and considered one of the best defensemen in the game.

His speed allows him to cover a lot of ground, and his glove and fundamentals are generally good. However, in 2024, Betts was forced to take cover in the infield, move to second base and moonlight as a shortstop.

Betts did not play to his usual defensive standard despite having a good arm and experience playing ground balls, leading him to return to the outfield before the end of the season once others got healthy.

Ever the player looking for a new challenge, the former Red Sox player spent the 2024 offseason working on his fielding to play shortstop full-time.

He delivered a standout performance in 2025, becoming a Gold Glove finalist, cutting down on his mistakes and making highlights, especially in the postseason.

What could keep Mookie Betts from finishing his career at shortstop?

The biggest barrier that keeps older players from playing shortstop is the loss of athleticism that comes with age.

It’s rare to see a player in his mid-to-late 30s still playing shortstop, although Betts wants to buck the trend.

He appears to be doing a good job of maintaining his body and athleticism, although Father Time remains undefeated and he could suffer an injury or natural decline that limits his range to get ground balls.

Realistically, if Betts wants to stay in the infield, he could eventually move to second base, where he also played.

Even if he doesn’t stick with shortstop for the rest of his career, Betts has already accomplished a remarkable feat: He switched to shortstop at age 30 and is thriving.

“To play Gold Glove right field for years,” manager Dave Roberts said in October. “And to be part of the Gold Glove conversation this year, rightly so, about playing the biggest games, the biggest stages – that’s just never been done. It takes a special brain and talent to do it.”