Dodgers not getting what they need from Gavin Lux could be huge problem

One of the latest tough-to-swallow roster moves the Los Angeles Dodgers have had to make was placing Gavin Lux on the 10-day injured list after he went down with a hamstring issue right out of the All-Star break.

The Dodgers are still a top contender and would have a much more favorable situation if the out-of-nowhere MLB-best San Francisco Giants haven’t spoiled everything, but here we are. This is the hand we were dealt.

When you look at Lux’s injury, however, it doesn’t just affect the team in 2021. Manager Dave Roberts can make the necessary adjustments in the interim to keep the Dodgers afloat. Not worried.

Lux’s injury, as well as his first-half performance, are greater concerns for what’s to come in 2022.

After an underwhelming 82 games at the plate, the 23-year-old could now be out a while.

Unfortunately, the Dodgers cannot remain in wait-and-see mode with Lux as Corey Seager and Chris Taylor approach free agency. 

Gavin Lux’s injury creates a long-term problem for the Dodgers.

Though Lux showed promise on defense so far this year (3 DRS at second base in 197 innings and 0 DRS at shortstop in 471.1 innings), the front office was likely more concerned with his bat translating to the next level. Plus, his seven errors and -3.2 UZR leave a bit more to be desired with his glove at shortstop.

It’s safe to say the organization was looking for one of two things: pristine defense at shortstop during Seager’s absence OR considerable progress with his bat (since he’s surrounded by countless All-Star-caliber players). Unfortunately, the defense has been … fine, while his offense has been stagnant.

He’s hitting .227 with a .656 OPS, 39 runs scored, 6 homers, 37 RBI and 3 stolen bases in 82 games. He has an OPS+ of 81 and a wRC+ of 84 — both of which are well below average. His isolated power sits at a measly .122 and his expected batting average is just .252.

The peripherals aren’t there, either. Nothing really jumps off the page. That has to be concerning as the Dodgers look forward to 2022 considering they don’t have any definitive answers when it comes to the futures of the aforementioned infielders.

This isn’t to say Lux won’t develop into a fine ballplayer. That’s very much still on the table after just 124 career MLB games. However, he was the consensus top prospect in all of baseball not too long ago and you’d hope to see promising results — at least on one side of the ball — rather quickly with big-time roster moves on the horizon.

Now that he’s expected to be out for an undefined amount of time, that will only further prevent the Dodgers from figuring out a more stable Plan B in the event Seager departs in the offseason. We don’t really want to think about that, but every option needs to be considered, especially with collective bargaining talks set to likely upend everything too.

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