Dodgers: How A Trade For Scooter Gennett Will Help Now and Later

With little over two weeks until the non-wavier trade deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly in the market for a second baseman. Among the potential suitors is Cincinnati Reds All-Star Scooter Gennett.

 Sitting in second place behind the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Dodgers are assessing their strengths and weaknesses approaching the All-Star break.

Among the weaknesses for Los Angeles is production from second base and the best player to improve the position is Scooter Gennett.

With a batting average consistently over 300 for the season, Gennett is heading to the All-Star game in Washington D.C. for his first career selection.

In another down year for the Reds, Gennett has been a highlight to the season. In 90 games this season, Gennett has 112 hits. During 141 games in the 2017 season, Gennett totaled 136 hits.

But the highlight for Cincinnati may soon be on the move to a different home city.

According to Yahoo Sports reporter Jeff Passan, the Dodgers have checked in with the Reds about Gennett.

Along with Gennett, the Twins’ Brian Dozier and the Mets’ Asdrubal Cabrera are players the Dodgers have inquired about, as well.

While the market for second basemen is small, Gennett is the prime player the Dodgers can acquire.

As the fifth best hitter in baseball, Gennett also has big offensive numbers at Dodger Stadium.

 In 14 at-bats at Dodger Stadium this season, Gennett is batting .714 with 10 hits, two doubles, and two home runs.

Not only is Gennett the most consistent and productive player in the second base market, but has the longest contract, as well.

While Dozer and Cabrera will be free agents for the 2019 season, Gennett won’t enter free agency until 2020.

Since the Yu Darvish trade led to two months of regular seasons starts and a World Series meltdown, it’s hard to believe Andrew Friedman and company will pursue a rental trade.

A farm system that ranks in the top 10, the Dodgers have limited in-house options to take over second base in the future.

More from Dodgers Rumors

• Dodgers might find their next Tyler Anderson with this free agent target
• Are Giants falling off and joining Dodgers at back of Carlos Correa chase?
• Don’t hold your breath on Dodgers making Justin Turner decision soon
• Dodgers have lost the plot if Trevor Bauer hearing is restricting offseason spending
• Dodgers Winter Meetings: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

Logan Forsythe is in the final year of his contract and experiencing his worst offensive season in his career. A batting average that flirts with the Mendoza line, Forsythe is primarily used as a bat against right-handers and defensive substitute.

Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodger Jake Peter is the current second baseman but is having an underwhelming offensive season, as well.

The next probable second baseman for the big-league club is in high-class single-A. Gavin Lux is holding down shortstop for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

In 293 at-bats with the Quakes, Lux has hit four triples, 10 home runs, and 19 doubles. While consistently swinging a hot bat, Lux is showing maturity.

Lux’s patience at the plate has tallied for 37 walks and 59 strikeouts.

While Lux is conditioning to be a shortstop, he has logged time at second base for the Quakes. But if he were to spend approximately one year at each level at the minor leagues, Lux will debut in late 2020 or early 2021.

Next: Dodgers Quick Hits: Utley, Buehler, Hill, Pen

Since upcoming prospects are still a couple years away from a debut, Gennett should be the Dodgers top priority approaching the trade deadline.  In his fifth full season, Gennett has steadily grown into an elite player. But most importantly, Gennett is under control through the next season and has a history of consistent offensive power.