December 7th, 2022 at 10:00 am 
by 0799291000348 With shortstop Trea Turner and the Philadelphia Phillies setting a very high bar for contract length (11 years), it is likely that his free agent cohorts Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, and Dansby Swanson will be expecting similar contract periods. Correa, two years younger than Turner, may be looking to reset the bar for contract length, total value, and average annual value (AAV) for a ML shortstop. Are the Dodgers willing to enter the bidding war for Messrs. Bogaerts, Correa, and Swanson, or will they turn to the trade market for Turner’s replacement?
Before you answer that question consider the following:
- Gavin Lux and Chris Taylor are the only experienced shortstops currently in the organization. The shortstop prospects range from a plus defender with a questionable bat (Jacob Amaya), good hitter with questionable fielding, (Eddys Leonard), to teenagers (Rayne Doncon and Wilman Diaz) with unrefined skills and years away from the Show — if ever. That’s it.
- The current shortstop trade market is thin, extremely thin. The Milwaukee Brewers have said that Willy Adames is a foundational piece of their team and will not be traded. Ditto the Tampa Bay Rays (Wander Franco), and Chicago White Sox (Tim Anderson).
(SportsNet LA)
The Cleveland Guardians may be willing to trade Amed Rosario, but he would be another one-year rental, being eligible for free agency after the 2023 season. Two players who signed free agent contracts in 2021 may be available, Javier Báez (Detroit Tigers) and Trevor Story (Boston Red Sox). Would any of these players be appreciably better than Gavin Lux, the Dodgers heir apparent shortstop?
Unequivocally, No!
Unless the Dodgers can acquire Adames, Anderson, or Franco, they should move on to other options to improve their middle infield.
What type of trade package might the Dodgers offer for one of these players? Think big – really big!
Adames (Brewers) and Anderson (White Sox) are under team control through the 2024 season, then both will be eligible for free agency. The Dodgers trade packages will be similar for either player, likely built around Gavin Lux with position prospect Miguel Vargas (infielder/outfielder) and pitching prospect Ryan Pepiot.
Franco (Rays) is under team control through the 2029 season, so the Dodgers would be forced to include several of its very best prospects: possibly catcher Diego Cartaya, Vargas, infielder/outfielder Michael Busch, and outfielder Andy Pages.
Too steep a price for those shortstops? Depends on one’s point of view. Dodgers fans may say yes, especially the suggested package for Franco.
The alternatives: pay the price for one of Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, Dansby Swanson; or, acquire a second baseman to pair with Lux for the middle infield.
The Yankees are shopping second baseman Gleyber Torres, who is an offense-first player with marginal defense. Torres is under team control through the 2024 season, then eligible for free agency. Yankees would likely want one high level prospect (Busch?), mid-level (Jorbit Vivas), and a pitcher (Michael Grove?).
What do you think Dodgers fans, how should the Dodgers fix the current hole at shortstop?
Next, we consider ways to bolster the starting pitching depth, then outfield options.
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Posted in 
@Dodgers Great take, thanks Jesse!
Would not trade any of those guys for that package, I’m sticking with the kids at this point unless we get Correa then package them off to Pitt for bryan Reynolds and one of thier young arms or Rays for Brandon Lowe and Glasgow
To which package were you referring? My guess, Wander Franco? My thinking — Dodgers are loaded with catching prospects and incredibly thin with legit SS prospects. Vargas has all of the attributes of a great hitter, but his defense is rough — best defensive position is first base and some guy by the name of Freeman is playing there for years to come. Busch is also a good hitter whose best defensive position is first base — he is only passable at second base. Pages is the prospect I really hate giving up — I think he could be a top notch, power hitting outfielder.
your description of Franco could have been equally applied to vargas. why trade for what you already have? especially since vargas is younger, cheaper and arguably, better in the box?
Not following the question. Franco was the top prospect in MLB (Baseball America) in 2020 and 2021 and is two years younger than Vargas. Franco rated a 70 prospect with 80 hit tool; Vargas rated 55 prospect with 60 hit tool. Franco a good fielder, Vargas not.
LOL, my apologies. the “description of franco” that i referenced was, in fact, your description of vargas. that’s what happens when i play on the internet during a conference call.
by the way, did you ever see that i did the work on the Kershaw history we discussed?
If we can’t get Swanson or Bogaerts, play Lux at SS. No to Corassco. Play the kids and reset the CBT. See what we’ve got and make adjustments at the trade deadline.
I fear that approach (playing the kids) will see the Dodgers chasing Padres all season, and possibly missing the post season
Feels like it is time to play them or trade them.
I agree. Vargas seems like a pure DH — he would be at the top of my trade list while his value is high.
Vargas value isn’t high. Has he even played in 50 major league games? Didn’t even bat 200 in the games he did play.
Looking at our roster as of now, with the other contenders having a field day, it looks like a very steep uphill climb to the post season, even with the watered down playoff format.
I don’t see LA being a legitimate threat to win the Series this year
As of this morning, the Dodgers are chasing the Padres for NL West — if the Giants sign Carlos Correa and re-sign Carlos Rodon the Dodgers could be contending with Arizona for third place. But, there is still time for Gomes and Friedman to get the roster competitive.
Correrass
Gavin Lux at shortstop is the answer at this point, it is clearly his time. We still have a high level backup in CT.
The only acceptable upscale in proven ability & price would be Correa, if he agreed to come to LA contrite & apologize for his misactions in 2017. Assuming this is to much to piece together, Lux is the guy; spend $$ on getting a high level starter & wait for next year’s Otana bank-breaking free agent signing.
I would like the Dodgers to pick up an inexpensive Kiki Hernandez-like Swiss army knife, though
Makes sense, including Correa. I do think the team needs an experienced CF’er. Anyone in mind for the Swiss Army knife? I would like to see Dodgers find a way to trade for Marlins Joey Wendle.
Did you see the Dodgers now sit at 10th in baseball in luxury tax payroll. This is the Losangeles Dodgers I’m talking about???
relevance?
when cody and corey were winning awards they were making min wage.
track the talent, not the payroll.
Lux is the answer if Wanders value is 4 top minors who will all play a long time.1 top ranked minor,1 top 15-30 ranked within the system,& Lux is more then plenty value for Wander.I’ve watched these kids coming and they will either pkg a group for a bona fide superstar with options left. Wander is not that player yet.Dodgers should save money and go young.If it’s not working by the allstar break,you then go to plan b and buy a big contract from a team that is squandering at the break.Money is all the options you need but we have a system too!
By all appearances we will see if you are right — more and more looking like Lux will be the SS in 2023.
what difference does it make?? Roberts can not manage in post season. The team will just quit again like last fall.
Best manager in the world cannot win when his hitters take the week off.
And pitchers come up with dead arms. Scherzer.
So true
Dodgers could probably get Adames and Burnes from the Brewers for lesser prospect cost if they take Yelich and his salary.
100 %
I think it would help, but trading their top of rotation, Cy Young winner and fine, young shortstop will still cost the Dodgers a lot in players/prospects. Don’t include Burns in the trade and perhaps the teams can strike a deal around Adames & Yelich.
Ok my feelings were hurt but Houston is past and Correa is a leader he’s a star like Freeman and Mookie we lost a Star we sign him and he will rebuild his good name helping us like no other option out there can so let’s just get over it I want stay on top with Correa we will be better then with Trev don’t let the past bring down our present and future !
I’m with you — took me awhile to come around. Caveat — Kershaw, Betts, and Freeman have to be 100% in agreement with Correa becoming a Dodger.
No to Correa.
Swanson would be a great pickup
Jalex — apologies, I missed your Kershaw research. Hope you still have the info and will repost
Without a doubt, get Correa now !
Dissolve the gate, and embrace the BadAss he is !
No comparison to Lux.