Dodgers: Gavin Lux becoming the focal point of the off-season

Dodgers’ super prospect Gavin Lux has not been in the Major Leagues for long yet he is becoming the focal point of LA’s off-season.

In 2016, the Dodgers drafted Gavin Lux with the 20th overall pick in the draft and less than four years later, he is suddenly the focal point of the off-season.  Despite having just 75 regular season at-bats in the Major Leagues, Lux has become the center of attention on a Dodger team that is full of talent.  Whether the blue are able to pull off a big move this winter could depend on if they are willing to move Lux.

Francisco Lindor is the star that the Dodgers have been linked to the most but the Indians want Gavin Lux back to send Lindor to Los Angeles.  Whether the Dodgers should include Lux in a deal for Lindor is a debate that could determine whether the Dodgers make a big move this off-season.  Lux has six more seasons of control where Francisco Lindor has two seasons.

While Gavin Lux is no lock to ever become as good as Francisco Lindor, the Dodgers have seen from their own core that there is a chance that Lux becomes a very good big-league player.  Between Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Lux mashed 26 home runs in the 2019 minor league season.  He certainly possesses the ability to become a star.

After being unable to lure Anthony Rendon to Los Angeles, the biggest name left on the free-agent market is Josh Donaldson.  Donaldson is older and signing him to a four-year deal would be a risky proposition. That seems like a move the Dodgers are trying to avoid.  The front office has money to spend but wisely they are not going to spend just to spend.

More from LA Dodgers News

• Kevin Kiermaier being ‘top target’ to replace Cody Bellinger is bad sign for Dodgers
• Giants laughably sign pitcher that Dodgers absolutely own
• Dave Roberts’ quote about Padres in NLDS should motivate Dodgers
• Former Astro seemingly takes uncalled for shot at Cody Bellinger after Cubs deal
• Dodgers’ 2023 lineup without Trea Turner isn’t as impressive as it should be

On the trade market, there are Francisco Lindor, Mookie Betts, and Kris Bryant although Lindor is the one most likely to be traded this winter.  Kris Bryant’s trade status will likely wait on the ruling of whether he is a free agent after the 2020 or 2021 season.  For Mookie Betts, it just depends on whether the Red Sox feel they can extend him once he tests free agency.  A July trade deadline deal seems more likely for Betts.

That leaves Francisco Lindor as the best fit for the Dodgers if they are going to pull off a blockbuster trade.  The Dodgers have the prospects to make a deal without including Lux but up until this point, it seems like the Indians are holding out for Lux.  Regardless of what Andrew Friedman chooses to do, Gavin Lux will always be under a microscope now.

If the Dodgers do not land Lindor because of their refusal to deal Lux, going forward the career of Lux will be closely watched.  If Lux succeeds, Friedman will look like the genius he is but if Lux never taps into his enormous potential Dodger fans will only be able to wonder what could have been.  After less than a hundred big league at-bats, Gavin Lux is the focal point of the Dodgers’ off-season.