The Dodgers are not simply looking for another bat.
They reportedly want a hitter whose versatility would allow them to better manage Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy and Will Smith throughout the regular season.
ESPN’s Alden González reports that Los Angeles would like to acquire a high-end, versatile position player capable of giving Freeman meaningful time off at first base. The larger objective is to prevent the Dodgers’ most important veteran hitters from entering another postseason physically diminished.
No particular player has been identified, and there is no indication that Los Angeles is negotiating with a specific free agent or trade partner.
But the type of player the Dodgers want reveals something important about how they are evaluating their disappointing October exit.
This offseason is not only about changing the lineup.
It is also about protecting the players already in it.
Freeman’s Workload Remains Difficult To Reduce
Freeman appeared in 153 games during the 2026 regular season and made 152 appearances at first base.
He still produced a strong .288 batting average and .362 on-base percentage, but his power declined. Freeman finished with 16 home runs, 70 RBIs and a .430 slugging percentage after slugging .502 in 2025.
He also managed patellar tendinitis in his right knee during the final weeks of the season.
Freeman has always preferred playing through discomfort, which makes simply telling him to rest easier in theory than in practice. The Dodgers need another hitter good enough to make those days off feel like part of a competitive plan rather than a concession.
Shohei Ohtani’s presence makes that even more important.
Many teams can rest an aging first baseman’s legs by using him at designated hitter. That option is rarely available to the Dodgers because Ohtani occupies the position almost every day.
For Freeman to receive a genuine break, someone else must start at first base.
Dodgers Need More Than A Traditional Backup
The description of the desired player as “high-end” matters.
Los Angeles does not appear to be searching only for a defensive replacement who would sit on the bench until Freeman needs a day off. A limited backup would make it more difficult to rest Freeman during important games without significantly weakening the lineup.
The better fit would be someone capable of:
Starting at first base when Freeman rests.
Playing another infield or outfield position on other days.
Receiving regular plate appearances without requiring an everyday job at one position.
Producing enough offense to remain useful in October.
Allowing the Dodgers to rest multiple veterans without compromising the entire lineup.
That player could potentially give Muncy a day away from third base, create additional rest for Betts or strengthen the bench when Smith is unavailable.
Versatility only helps, however, if the bat is worth placing in the lineup.
The Dodgers already have players capable of moving between positions. What they lacked at times in 2026 was enough offensive depth to rest a prominent hitter without creating a noticeable weakness elsewhere.
Rushing’s Surgery Creates Another Complication
Dalton Rushing appeared to be one possible solution entering last season.
He has experience at first base and could have received additional at-bats there while giving Freeman occasional rest. That arrangement also would have helped the Dodgers find playing time for Rushing behind Smith.
His offseason elbow surgery changes the immediate outlook.
Rushing faces an estimated nine-month recovery before returning to catching. Although he is expected to be available as a hitter sooner, the Dodgers cannot enter the season assuming he will immediately handle a significant defensive workload.
That makes outside depth more important.
Los Angeles could move Muncy across the diamond on Freeman’s rest days, but doing so only transfers the lineup opening from first base to third. The club would still need another hitter capable of filling the vacancy.
The ideal addition would solve more than one problem instead of merely shifting it.
This Is About October As Much As The Regular Season
Freeman was not the only established Dodger carrying a significant workload.
Muncy played 149 games and recorded 561 plate appearances while batting .252/.348/.490 with 29 home runs. Betts made 123 appearances while taking on the physical and mental demands of playing shortstop. Smith was limited to 73 games by injuries but still carries the most demanding defensive responsibilities on the roster.
The Dodgers’ veteran position-player group averaged 30.9 years old, the highest mark in Major League Baseball. mlb.com
That does not mean the core is finished.
It means the Dodgers need to become more deliberate about how they use it.
As we examined when asking why the Dodgers’ offense faded again, Los Angeles cannot wait until players are injured or visibly compromised before creating rest. The club needs enough depth to schedule days off proactively.
A versatile impact bat could help make that possible.
Instead of asking Freeman, Betts and Muncy to carry the offense every night, the Dodgers could rotate another legitimate hitter through several positions. That would also create more flexibility when injuries occur and make it easier to adjust the lineup according to matchups.
The Right Addition Would Strengthen The Lineup Without Blocking Youth
There is another balance the Dodgers must consider.
They want to become younger and create opportunities for Josue De Paula, Alex Freeland, Hyeseong Kim and other developing players. Signing or trading for another everyday veteran without a clear opening could make that transition more difficult.
Versatility could prevent that problem.
A player who moves between first base, second base, third base and the outfield would not necessarily block one young player from receiving regular opportunities. The Dodgers could distribute the at-bats according to matchups, performance and rest needs.
That is different from acquiring a player who must remain at one position every day.
It also connects to the unresolved question at second base. As we discussed while examining whether Hyeseong Kim can change the Dodgers’ plans, Los Angeles can continue evaluating its internal options while looking for an addition capable of helping at several spots.
Dodgers Must Find Someone Good Enough To Make Rest Possible
The Dodgers do not need to remove Freeman, Betts, Muncy or Smith from the center of their championship plans.
They need to build a roster that does not require those players to carry the same workload from March through October.
Adding a high-end, versatile hitter would provide insurance against injury, improve the bench and give Los Angeles more ways to construct its lineup.
Most importantly, it could help the Dodgers provide rest before their veterans desperately need it.
That is the difference between having depth on paper and possessing depth that can actually change how the roster is managed.
What type of player should the Dodgers target—and which positions would you want him capable of playing?