The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in a bit of a bind with Max Muncy. Once a cornerstone of fearsome left-handed power, Muncy has hit a snag, largely due to injuries that sidetracked his 2024 season.

Now, with his 35th birthday on the horizon, Muncy appears to be grappling with both the aftermath of those injuries and the inevitable march of time. We know Muncy comes with a strikeout tendency, sporting a career 24.9% strikeout rate.

However, this season, he’s tipping the charts at an alarming 31.8% strikeout rate through May 1. Despite maintaining a decent walk rate, his power—once his calling card—seems to have faded into the shadows.

The Dodgers’ offensive machine is still firing on most cylinders, thanks to unexpected power surges from players like Tommy Edman and Andy Pages. But let’s face it, those surprise performances aren’t likely to be sustainable all season.

The Dodgers definitely need consistent productivity from third base, and right now, Muncy isn’t delivering. Luckily, there’s a strategy on the table that could remedy this situation—it’s just about the Dodgers taking that leap.

The game plan? Transition Will Smith to third base and bring up Dalton Rushing as the new man behind the plate.

When the Dodgers inked Will Smith into a 10-year, $140 million extension last March, they did so with the understanding that a move from catching would eventually be on the cards. Smith has a singular big league appearance at third, but he’s no stranger to the infield.

His minor league days saw him take reps at second and third base, logging 43 games at the hot corner back in 2018 across Double-A and Triple-A. For a player of Smith’s caliber, making this switch should be as smooth as a 6-4-3 double play.

Moving Smith from behind the plate could also spike his already impressive numbers—he’s currently boasting a .316/.426/.500 slash line in 2025. Catching wears a body down, and freeing Smith from those rigors might just enhance his offensive contributions.

Slotting in Dalton Rushing opens an exciting chapter for the Dodgers. The top prospect has been lighting it up at Triple-A Oklahoma City, demonstrating he’s ready to take the reins as the Dodgers’ catcher of the future.

After hammering 26 home runs and compiling a strong .271/.384/.512 line in 2024 across Double and Triple-A, Rushing hasn’t missed a beat, starting the 2025 season with a .316/.419/.513 line. Versatile on the field, Rushing can handle first base and left field, offering the Dodgers a wealth of lineup options.

Promoting Rushing lets Smith catch occasionally, which nudges Muncy more into a rotational role, reducing the pressure on him to return to form ASAP. It’s a bit unorthodox, sure, but this strategy gives the Dodgers the best chance to capitalize on their roster’s depth and talent, taking some heat off Muncy as he seeks to rekindle his past energies.

While it might not be the conventional route, putting this plan into action is a proactive step that could solve the Dodgers’ conundrum with Muncy and ensure their lineup remains a force in the league.