3 shortstops (who aren't Willy Adames) Dodgers should pursue after Gavin Lux mess

Matt McLain (or Whichever Reds Shortstops He Edges Out Long-Term)

McLain, who placed fifth in Rookie of the Year votes in 2023, could be a bit difficult for the Dodgers to try to coax away from the Reds in a trade. However, the Reds are going to rely heavily on Elly De La Cruz at shortstop this year and newly-extended Jonathan India will certainly battle McLain for time at second. If India can edge out McLain there and become a permanent captain type, it could leave the Reds without a spot for McLain and looking to get a good return for him on a trade. Stranger things have happened than a McLain regression, and perhaps the Orange, CA native (and UCLA Bruins star) will wind up back where he belongs if the fates align.

His season was hindered by a recurring oblique strain, but over 89 games in 2023, he batted .290/.357/.507 with 16 home runs and 50 RBI and placed fifth in Rookie of the Year voting. He could serve to walk a little more and strike out a little less, but no one's perfect, and those numbers in a rookie year were more than enough to have some fans calling for an extension.

McLain split time between shortstop and second base last year and put up 2 OAA at short. The fact that he could still be considered mostly untested could make a potential trade partner hesitate, but the Dodgers could add a little bit of youth to a star, veteran lineup and take on a player they can mold.

If McLain does emerge as a bonafide long-term piece in Cincinnati, perhaps Los Angeles could look to poach the players he edges out for the role: Noelvi Marte or Edwin Arroyo. Marte, naturally, has fallen out of favor in the Queen City after being suspended for 80 games over use of a PED; Arroyo, also acquired in the Luis Castillo trade, is MLB Pipeline's No. 3 Reds prospect. Unless you want to be the Padres, you can't carry 30 shortstops forever.