Dodgers ring in the 2023 season at FanFest with unwavering confidence

Freddie Freeman (Los Angeles Dodgers)

by Ron Gutterman

Less than two weeks away from the start of Spring Training, the Dodgers are starting to answer some of the biggest questions that were posed throughout a transitional offseason.

Dodgers FanFest on Saturday gave Dodger players, prospects, legends and manager Dave Roberts a chance to connect with fans, but it also was a showing of the key figures expected to impact the 2023 team — including some new faces.

“I think the core group of guys that we have and we’re going to run out there is still intact. But yeah, there’s some turnover,” said Dodger manager Dave Roberts.

New faces like pitchers Noah Syndergaard and Shelby Miller and infielder Miguel Rojas represent some of that turnover, as well as prospects like Miguel Vargas — all who were present at FanFest.

“You just don’t know until you know, and I think that any team that has a chance to contend for the World Series, there’s got to be some surprises or people that you don’t expect to make contributions,” Roberts said.

Dave Roberts (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Roberts said Gavin Lux “is going to be starting at shortstop.” He also said: “You’re going to see a lot of Miguel Vargas from the outset.”

Lux and Vargas are candidates for starting middle infielder spots on Opening Day. Vargas, a natural third baseman, has been working as a second baseman throughout the offseason, Roberts revealed on Saturday.

“Things could change by the time we get here to the time of the regular season,” Vargas said regarding the potential of a third-to-second base switch. “I just want to be ready, I want to focus on doing everything I can to be ready, and if that opportunity presents itself, be ready for that.”

This shift in Vargas’ potential role came from Max Muncy finding a new comfort at the third base position. Muncy, entering his sixth year as a Dodger, has made played 197 games at third base, including 84 appearances in 2022.

Another position in question has been center field.

“I think Chris Taylor is in the mix, I think Trayce (Thompson) is in the mix, I think (Jason)Heyward’s in the mix, I think James Outman is in the mix, and I think (non-roster invitee) Bradley Zimmer — great defender, tried to clean some things up with the bat — he can really defend.”

Outman is one of the most highly-touted prospects in the Dodger system after posting a .293/.390/.627/1.018 slash line in 252 plate appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City last season. He went 6-for-13 in 16 plate appearances with the Dodgers as well.

Perhaps the most stable segment of the Dodger infield is first baseman Freddie Freeman, who feels confident about LA’s roster, despite significant losses, such as Justin Turner, Trea Turner and Cody Bellinger.

“To replace Justin Turner, what he means to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the community, you can’t replace that. He was such a big part of me coming over here,” Freeman said. “Obviously Trea Turner, a guy who plays every single day, .300 batting average, 200 hits, it’s hard to replace. Cody (Bellinger) was a long staple of this organization.”

But with all the player losses, Freeman has faith in the team’s present and future.

“I was a young player at one time, they were all young players at one time. Young players have to make an impact, players like Miguel Vargas,” Freeman said. “I really like our team, and our bullpen is incredible.”