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By Drew VonScio
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have a lot of eyes on them as back-to-back World Series champions, but it doesn't mean they can't find ways to be even better.
External additions such as Edwin Diaz and Kyle Tucker are expected to help them pursue a third-straight championship, but Los Angeles will need some internal improvements as well. One of those players expected to improve, according to Thomas Harrington of MLB.com, is shortstop Mookie Betts.
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"Betts had the worst offensive showing of his career, recording career lows in OPS (.732) and wRC+ (104)," Harrington wrote on Monday. "That said, the season wasn’t a total loss. Aided by a strong defensive showing in his first year as a full-time shortstop, not to mention a solid finish at the plate, the veteran superstar still managed to produce 3.4 WAR for the Dodgers. Will we see vintage Betts in 2026? The projections say yes, hinting at a full-blown return to form for the eight-time All-Star, who is projected for a 130 wRC+ and 4.9 WAR. Only 10 position players have a higher WAR projection."
The Dodgers know Betts is going to be determined to produce this year at the plate. He struggled to find any groove offensively last season, and he was often quick to be very critical of himself as a result of it. At 33 years old, it will be an uphill battle for him to be more valuable than last season, but his performances from 2023 showed he wasn't slowing down any time soon.
If Betts can improve and return to how he performed in 2023, the Dodgers are going to be even bigger favorites to win the World Series once again.
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