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3 dream trades that would help Dodgers replace Gavin Lux at shortstop
The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't make any blockbuster moves this offseason. In fact, they were reverse-blockbustered when Trea Turner, Tyler Anderson, Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner all departed. They couldn't avoid the big headlines despite their light lifting.
But could they be backed into a corner now following the loss of starting shortstop Gavin Lux, who suffered a torn ACL during Monday's Spring Training game against the San Diego Padres? The Dodgers were already downgrading from Turner to Lux and will now have to downgrade further from Lux to Miguel Rojas. From Seager to Turner to Lux to Rojas. What a world.
Rojas was supposed to be the team's utility infielder who could fill in at shortstop for longer spells, but he's heading into his age-34 season and coming off the worst offensive campaign of his career. Not exactly a starting shortstop on a contending roster at this point.
We came up with five immediate replacements that could help address the situation with Lux, but none are impactful or surefire solutions. At this juncture of the offseason, it's impossible to make the requisite free agency move to fix something like this, and it's nearly impossible to do the same on the trade market. We're too close to the start when everybody thinks they might have a chance.
But there might be some exceptions out there if the Dodgers press the right buttons. While it's unlikely, some teams could be convinced to move off of their starting shortstop pending a good offer and the fact they have the necessary resources to get by in the meantime. These would be gigantic hits for Andrew Friedman and Co.
3 dream trade scenarios that could help the Dodgers replace Gavin Lux
Willy Adames
What dream scenario from this offseason doesn't include Milwaukee Brewers shortstop WIlly Adames? With the way Dodgers fans talked about him followng Turner's departure, you would've thought he was the prince that was promised at shortstop.
We still don't think the Brewers would do this ... but they do have Luis Urias and top prospect Brice Turang on the roster. And who knows what a strong season from top prospect Eric Brown Jr. might do for his pathway to MLB?
Chances are the Brewers don't even think about this until the trade deadline, but what if the Dodgers were willing to offer up top prospect Bobby Miller in a package? Could help solve that Corbin Burnes problem down the road, just sayin'!
Amed Rosario
OK, maybe we went too far with the word "dream," but Rosario would keep the Dodgers from missing a beat. And his numbers are probably right in line with what we expected of Lux, no? Over the last two seasons, he's hit .282 with a .722 OPS, 163 runs scored, 15 triples, 22 home runs, 128 RBI and 31 stolen bases. Plus, his defense is better.
You might be wondering why the Cleveland Guardians would even consider this. The most easily detectable reason is that Rosario will be a free agent after 2023 and the Guards probably aren't going to pay a mid-market shortstop contract to keep him. This organization loves to get all the value it can when these types of situations arise.
Additionally, all of Gabriel Arias, Andres Gimenez, Angel Martinez and Brayan Rocchio are on the 40-man roster and can play shortstop. Arias and Gimenez are the MLB options, while Martinez and Rocchio are top prospects making their way up the ladder.
Rosario could then be an extension candidate in LA, since he wouldn't command anything like Seager or Turner, in addition to the fact Lux's future is in as much doubt as it can possibly be. This might not sound like an earth-shattering move on paper, but the way he'd be integrated into the Dodgers lineup would fit like a glove.
Tim Anderson
The White Sox arguably had the most disappointing season in MLB last year. The offseason wasn't exactly kind to them, either.
After losing Jose Abreu, AJ Pollock and Josh Harrison (among others, including Liam Hendriks, who is dealing with a cancer diagnosis), Chicago paid $75 million (??) for Andrew Benintendi and $12 million for Mike Clevinger, who is now the subject of domestic violence allegations. This team did not get better.
They stand to lose two important members of the pitching staff in Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez after 2023. Yasmani Grandal will be gone, too. What's the long-term outlook, here? This team badly needs Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez to stay healthy and Yoan Moncada to finally find some consistency. All of those remain massive "what ifs."
The AL Central is always wide open, but it's safe to say the Guardians and Twins are probably much better at the moment. And that's pretty depressing if you're a White Sox fan. So then what's the recourse?
Maybe see what you can get for Tim Anderson, who signed for $12.5 million in 2023 and then has a $14 million team option for 2024? The man has hit .300 or better the last four seasons and received All-Star nods in 2021 and 2022. The White Sox No. 1 prospect is Colson Montgomery, who is a shortstop. No. 9 prospect Jose Rodriguez just finished a full season at Double-A, and it was rock solid. They'll have future options before too long if they pulled the trigger here.
The Dodgers may not be crazy about Anderson's defense, but an upgrade is an upgrade. He's good enough, is a true leadoff hitter, and makes this current roster exponentially better. He's shown reverence for Jackie Robinson, too! Can't think of a better way to carry on his legacy in the modern game than by installing Anderson and Mookie Betts as teammates, honestly.
Plus, the price on Anderson might not be that crazy. He's missed time due to various injuries over the last four years, never playing more than 123 games in a single campaign over that span. The timeline checks out. Sign Shohei Ohtani next offseason, keep Anderson in the fold, and then chase the beloved Adames after 2024 when he hits the open market. Win-win-win.