For Mookie Betts, many would say it has been a season to overlook.
Regardless of his feeble statistics, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ shortstop admitted in a latest interview that he’ll bear in mind the 2025 marketing campaign as a game-changer.
The 32-year-old is struggling by means of the worst season of his 12-year MLB profession, getting into Saturday’s motion with an OPS+ of 90, nicely beneath his profession 135 mark. Furthermore, the seven-time Silver Slugger is slashing simply .239/.309/.371, all numbers that will be profession lows ought to they continue to be at that stage.
Betts, nevertheless, has redirected his focus to not simply increase his numbers but additionally assist the Dodgers return to the World Sequence.
He told The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya that he thought-about his season “type of over. We’re going to should chalk that up for not an awesome season.”
That is robust to listen to when the Dodgers nonetheless have 46 video games to play and head into Saturday’s matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays simply three video games forward of the San Diego Padres within the Nationwide League West.
Betts added that, whereas it might be too late for him to show his season round, he is aware of he can nonetheless assist the Dodgers repeat as world champions.
“Clearly, everybody needs to have nice seasons, however it’s so much simpler whenever you simply don’t fear in regards to the season,” Betts mentioned. “You simply fear about sport to sport. I’ll take this attitude for the remainder of my profession.”
A change in perspective could do Betts and the Dodgers nicely within the common season’s last weeks. He is within the midst of a 12-year, $365 million deal that runs by means of the 2032 marketing campaign, which means he’ll possible finish his profession in Los Angeles. With that type of capital invested in him, the Dodgers want him to rebound from his down season as rapidly as doable, even when meaning wiping the slate clear for 2026.
However, Betts has batted second for the Dodgers in 94 of the staff’s 116 video games this season. Moreover, the previous American League MVP has hit within the leadoff spot for 10 video games, a transfer designed to hopefully kickstart his efficiency. The transfer did not work, although, as Betts hit just .186 during the experiment.
Whereas Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts has had each motive to maneuver Betts down within the order, he recently told reporters that “… for me, it’s actually not giving him any out, appreciating he’s the best choice we now have close to the highest.”
Whether or not Betts’ revised mentality can help the Dodgers is one thing to observe for the rest of 2025 and past.
