Dodgers: Andrew Friedman’s comments suggest Gavin Lux won’t be traded

The Los Angeles Dodgers are still trying to figure out what is the best possible combination of players for their infield in 2022 and beyond. While throwing tons of money at Carlos Correa or Corey Seager could help solve that problem, LA still has to figure out how Gavin Lux fits into the equation.

Lux is a former top prospect that has yet to live up to billing at the MLB level. While he has seen some very inconsistent playing time in his career up until this point, an 83 OPS+ with a .233 average and just 12 home runs is likely not what Los Angeles expected him to provide.

The most “Lux” play of all time remains his near-home run, pimped to oblivion but killed by the wins, to end Game 3 against the Giants. Not ideal.

Rather than ditching Lux to make room for yet another star, the Dodgers may be content with keeping him around and seeing if this is the year he finally pops. Andrew Friedman sounded very bullish on his potential both, as it pertains to the 2022 season and the future as a whole.

After the young infielder finished the season strong, Friedman was quoted as saying that Lux is expected to “take that momentum into next year” and that he anticipates Lux being a “part of what we do.” We’re going to go out on a limb here and say that if Lux was going to be traded, he likely doesn’t get showered with praise like that.

The Los Angeles Dodgers may want to keep Gavin Lux.

Seager is on the open market right now, Trea Turner will be a free agent after the 2022 season, and Justin Turner is getting a little long in the tooth. Lux could bounce around the infield and flash his plus glove at all three positions, and that skill alone may be worth keeping him around for.

Chris Taylor is also on the market, and that may have been what prompted LA to give Lux some extra at-bats in center field. Lux may have a path to playing time in that utility role.

This may all become a moot point if Lux doesn’t make strides with the bat. However, if LA starts to see Lux drive the ball to all fields at the rate he’s shown in the minor leagues, they may be forced to give him a spot in the lineup.

The Dodgers have shown a willingness to ditch heralded prospects like Keibert Ruiz and Josiah Gray if the chance to add a superstar comes along, but their ability to develop young talent is what has sustained this decade of dominance.

Lux is some plate discipline and bat control away from being a quality starter in this league, and deciding to throw him aside so early into his career could come back to bite LA in the rear.

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