3 Biggest Questions Dodgers Face During Coronavirus Shutdown

The MLB shutting down due to fears over the spread of the coronavirus came at a very inopportune time for several championship-caliber clubs, including the Los Angeles Dodgers. Dave Roberts and company planned to figure out these three burning questions over the course of Spring Training, but we're still no closer to answering them.

3. How Much Can the Back End of Their Rotation Be Trusted?

Between Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler, the Dodgers have as deadly a 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation as there is in the game. The strength of the rest of the rotation is up for debate. David Price and Alex Wood are both lefty veterans that disappointed in 2019, and it remains to be seen if either Julio Urias or top prospect Dustin May can pilfer the No. 5 spot in that rotation. The Dodgers are not short on options to fill their rotation, but they still need to figure out who the best five are for the 2020 season.

2. What Will the Starting Outfield Look Like?

Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger clearly have two of the three starting spots locked down, but the third outfielder gig is anyone's game right now. Joc Pederson seems like a likely candidate, but the fact he was almost traded to the Angels this offseason implies the Dodgers aren't totally sold on him. AJ Pollock is fresh off a solid debut season in Dodger blue, and Chris Taylor can't be ruled out just yet. The Dodgers have three players worthy of a starting spot, but only one open spot for them to compete for. And don't forget supersub Enrique Hernandez! Unfortunately, this whole process is on pause.

1. What's Going on With Mookie Betts' Contract?

Betts might be making $27 million this season, but the main reason he was traded from the Boston Red Sox to LA was the fact that he has a massive impending contract that John Henry was unwilling to pay. The Dodgers could either play the whole season out and let Mookie test free agency, which is not what they want, or work day and night to try in order to find a way to lock him up long term. And how does the coronavirus affect all this? Somehow, this has only gotten more complex by the day -- with each game missed, it becomes likelier the MLBPA will rally for Betts' service time to expire, and his free agency to come at the end of 2020, even if it's an entirely lost season. Theoretically, Betts might hit the open market before ever playing for the LAD. With that in mind, every day that Betts doesn't get a new deal is a failure on the part of the Dodgers' sharp front office, as signing Bellinger and Betts long term almost guarantees them the NL West for the next decade.