December 28th, 2023 at 9:00 am 
by 0799291000348 * * *
“It’s like déjà vu all over again.”
* * * *
If Dodgers fans believe the speculation of MLB analysts and journalists, the team is once again shopping for a shortstop. Indeed, déjà vu all over again for Andrew Friedman, the team’s President of Baseball Operations. All-Star shortstop Corey Seager left via free agency after the 2021 season, then his replacement, Trea Turner, took the free agent money and relocated a year later. Once again, the team was faced with the daunting task of replacing an All-Star at the critical, middle infield position.
Publicly, the team expressed their confidence in Gavin Lux as the heir apparent to Turner. They saw Lux finally taking over the shortstop position for which he had been drafted in 2016 (first round, 20th player selected) and groomed in the team’s developmental pipeline. Remember that he was crowned Baseball America’s 2019 Minor League Player of the Year. Nonetheless, the team considered other options, including a trade for shortstops Willy Adames (Milwaukee Brewers) and former Dodger Amed Rosario (Cleveland Guardians).
Then, the Spring Training injury that resulted in Lux having surgery on March 7, 2023, to repair his torn ACL and damaged LCL in his right knee. A lost year for the highly regarded shortstop prospect, and a season in which the team band aided the position, by using six different players (Mookie Betts, Kiké Hernández, Rosario, Miguel Rojas, Chris Taylor, and Luke Williams).
Reports have been encouraging on the recovery of Lux, he should be ready to start practicing when Spring Training opens in six weeks. Even with medical advances in repairing knee injuries, there may be a lingering concern whether Lux will regain his lateral quickness and range to be a regular shortstop at the MLB level. Before the devastating injury to his knee, there were unconfirmed reports that the Dodgers thought that third base, or the outfield, might be the best defensive position for Lux.
The shortstop market is incredibly small. Free agents range from well past their prime players like Brandon Crawford (San Francisco Giants), utility players who can temporarily play the position (Isiah Kiner-Falefa), and one-time stars who struggled mightily in 2023 (Tim Anderson). The best free agent possibility for the Dodgers may be re-signing Rosario, even though his recent shortstop defense has been subpar.
Trading for an experienced, quality shortstop may be the team’s best option, but that market is one-sided in the favor of sellers. The Milwaukee Brewers Willy Adames has continued to be mentioned as a Dodgers target, but the Brewers are intent on competing in the middling NL Central Division and Adames is an important piece in their middle infield. Even though he will be a free agent after the 2024 season, the Brewers will demand a significant return for their star shortstop.
Wishful thinking would put Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette, or perhaps the Chicago Cubs’ Nico Horner at the position for the Dodgers. But those are extremely unlikely trade scenarios, as Bichette and Hoerner are vital cogs in their team’s pursuit of postseason play.
Would the Dodgers make a bold and risky move by trading for a young shortstop prospect with limited MLB experience, but high potential?
The Baltimore Orioles Joey Ortiz is a slick fielding shortstop with a breakout 2023 season for Triple-A Norfolk Tides (.321/.378/.507/.885). Only 25 years old, the right-handed hitting Ortiz could compete for the shortstop position with Lux, and recent acquisition Trey Sweeney (from New York Yankees). The O’s are deep in middle infield talent ahead of Ortiz and may be willing to trade the young shortstop for help in other areas.
Trading for another shortstop begs the question – What happens to Lux? Will the Dodgers move him to another position, or include him in a trade for pitching or another right-handed hitter?
To be determined, but we should know sooner than later.
* * * * * *
Posted in 
Interesting analysis. Agreed that with an otherwise pretty strong roster, shortstop is a question mark.
Mostly for Lux’s ability to move laterally – especially his confidence in his recovery. At the major league level I sometimes wonder if these young men who have always excelled in anything physical are sometimes shaken by significant injuries to their heretofore incredible prowess?
I think they may see how Lux does in the first half and supplement him with CT3, occasionally Mookie and possibly Sweeney – who they will want to see in big league competition. Then make a decision before the trade deadline.
There are several reasons why the Dodgers might be checking the market for a shortstop, but they haven’t given any indication that the speculation is true. I remember reading a Friedman quote that he actually sees value in the misdirection created by unfounded speculation. If Dodgers are confident that Lux is fully recovered from his knee surgery, I think he will be their regular shortstop — backed up by Rojas, Taylor, and Sweeney.
I think we can hold off on SS for now and revisit it at the trade deadline. I have high hopes for Pages making an impact for LAD in LF, freeing up Taylor for more infield work. We also have Rojas, who is solid fielder.
Hopefully Lux is what we hope he is and it is and we are set.
Along the same line of reasoning, the Dodgers may want to see how Trey Sweeney plays in spring training and for Triple A OKC. If they add a quality RH hitter for LF they can get by with a Lux/Rojas SS platoon in 2024. Adames and Kim (Padres) will be free agents after the upcoming season. I hope Pages can be a factor at some point in the 2024 season, but shoulder labrum surgery usually takes a long time to regain full strength. I too hope Lux will be the guy at SS and the speculation is unfounded.
Would love to see the Dodgers and Reds or Orioles get together on some prospect trades. Throw in a Muncy and Taylor but mostly pitching for SS / 3B. I also think the Dodgers should give Busch the chance to compete with Muncy @ 3B. Busch has upside while Muncy has been in a streaky decline.
I agree with you, a trade of prospects that helps both teams. I like Busch, but Muncy is a proven run producer who is playing under a very team friendly contract. He had a 118 wRC+ in 2023 with 95 runs scored, 105 RBI, and 36 home runs. Muncy often frustrates me by his strike outs and taking so many pitches in the heart of the plate — but bottom line, he is a run producer. Unless some team overwhelms the Dodgers with a trade offer, I think Muncy stays and very likely Busch is traded.
Those numbers are deceiving. He’s just too streaky to regularly count on to produce runs. You used to say that about him getting on base but you rightly pointed out the number of “middle – middle” strikes he took last year. Not sure he has a plan anymore. It used to be “get on base, crush mistakes” and now it’s run producer?
Read a Muncy quote back in November — paraphrasing, he said that he needs to change his patient approach and look to swing earlier in counts when he gets a good pitch to hit, that he was taking too many good pitches. As I recall, he pointed out how other hitters in playoffs were swinging the bats, even if it resulted in some swings at pitches outside of the strike zone. Of course talking a change is a lot easier than implementing. I don’t see Muncy as untouchable in trade — the Dodgers could let Busch and Vargas compete for the third base job in spring training, and Rojas could take over at third late in games for defense. If the Dodgers could trade Muncy for a strong, RH hitting outfielder like the Nationals Lane Thomas, or the Rays Randy Arezarena I would love to make that kind of trade.
I get the concerns over Lux’s injury but man this kid has been jerked around by the Dodgers enough. Just let the kid play and show what he’s capable of. He has done more than enough to be given an opportunity to show that he can handle the job. And if he can’t handle it then make a move. Truth be told we won’t need much offensive production from SS this year so if Lux scuffles either make a trade or let Rojas play his elite defense and stick him in the 9 hole. Let Luxy play!
Not sure what you mean by “jerked around by Dodgers.” Until the 2022 season, Lux did not come close to fulfilling his enormous potential. His throwing in the minors was awful and he struggled hitting MLB pitching — he even admitted that he had a very complicated swing. The Dodgers gave him the shortstop position for 2023, it was only the knee injury that prevented him from being the regular. I think Lux Dodger career will be determined by his health — whether that is shortstop or LF
I think between Taylor, Lux and Might Rojas we have no issue at SS whatsoever.
Please stop the trashing Muncy.
35 hr 95-100 RBI 3b don’t grow on trees.
We have to stop looking at our deficiencies and start looking at how solid this team is.
I’d like to play AZ right now.
Yamamato Buehler and Glasnow with Miller waiting in line. Plus adding Lux and some guy named Ohtani. Good luck to the snakes.
No trashing of Muncy by me — he is what he is; a power-hitting run producer who is one of the worst defensive third baseman in MLB.
IMO, as fans we should be realists as the team continues to build the 2024 roster. Recognize the immense talent currently part of team without overlooking the remaining question marks: starting rotation, outfield, Lux, backup catcher, and whether Michael Busch and/or Miguel Vargas are ready now, or trade capital.
I’m totally fine with these two different paths:
1 start the season with
Yamamato Buehler Glasnow Miller and 2 of the kids Knack Sheehan Grove etc. Until Kershaw joins the rotation.
2- trade for a SP doesn’t have to be a great starter just an innings eater who is healthy.
Everything I have recently read, Buehler will not be ready to start the season. I would like for dodgers to trade for LH Trevor Rogers.
You have a great healthy happy new yr.
We do need a lefty.
Happy New Year! Roughly 6 weeks until spring training; I can hardly wait.
J are you going to spring training this yr
Hope to go, but chances are slim at this point.
JP
Pham
Teoscar H
Joc P
Cooper
Merrifield
Considering everything including $$$$ and length of contract, who would you pick out of these guys??
I would take Merrifield or Pham.
Teoscar