Dodgers Rumors: LA Linked to All-Star, Gold-Glove Third Baseman as Potential Max Muncy Replacement

A defensive upgrade but is it the right move?

Dodger third baseman Max Muncy exemplified the modern-day power hitter as a high walk, strikeout and home run hitter with a paltry average in 2023. 

His skills with the bat have never been questioned but the defensive mishaps at the hot corner brought plenty of concerns among the Dodger faithful all season. 

Such questions grew so loud over the course of the year that some fans of the Boys and Blue wonder if a former Gold Glove winner would be better suited for LA's roster in 2024. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com linked Matt Chapman to LA this offseason:

Only four years ago, Chapman was seen as one of the game’s rising stars, earning his first All-Star selection, his second Gold Glove and his second Top-7 AL MVP finish. His offensive production dipped in 2021 and ’22, though he remained a solid power hitter (27 home runs in each season) while continuing to play a stellar third base, Chapman’s home run total dipped to 17 in 2023. But his .330 on-base percentage was his highest since 2019 and he finished fourth in the AL with 39 doubles. The third-base free-agent market is thin this winter, putting Chapman in position to cash in with a nice deal.

Potential fits: Blue Jays, Dodgers, Yankees

via Mark Feinsand, MLB.com

To be fair to Muncy, an elbow injury as well as swapping positions from first to third in order to acommodate Freddie Freeman's arrival to the team haven't been easy. 

Both his batting average and defense haven't been up to par as a result of these changes as the move from one corner infield position to another hasn't panned out. 

Several errors and poor range won't be a problem for Chapman as he may just be the game's best defensive player. 

If he can return to his All-Star form that he had with Oakland, LA could find his acquisition quite the bargain for their 2024 title hopes. 

Additionally, the acquisition of Chapman wouldn't mean the end to Muncy altogether, as he could play both second base (although not ideally) or DH — but that would rely on them not signing Shohei Ohtani.