CJ Garcia
We are at that point in the offseason where the Dodger rumor mill is in full effect, but there isn’t much movement on the transaction side of things. What has seemed apparent is that the Dodgers are willing to use young talent and prospects in exchange for win-now talent.
Perhaps the most surprising thing of this offseason was the reported inclusion of Gavin Lux in the Devin Williams trade package along with prospect catcher Hunter Feduccia.
Now, this is going to be controversial. Gavin Lux was supposed to be the Dodgers’ shortstop of the future, but he fell short primarily because of his lack of arm strength.
The Dodgers’ belief in Lux has come back to bite them, particularly in the 2022 offseason. The Dodgers passed on the talented free-agent shortstop class to give Lux the starting shortstop job. Granted, he did tear his ACL, but when he came back, it was apparent that shortstop wasn’t his position, forcing a midseason switch for Mookie Betts.
If there is a way to improve the team, whether it’s moving Lux for a bat or a high-leverage bullpen arm, I would like to see the Dodgers do it. Although Lux hit a cumulative .304/.390/.508 with a 152 wRC+, hidden in that is his Month of September, when he slashed .241/.366/.293 and posted a 97 wRC+. Lux carried his subpar performance into October, slashing .176/.286/.294. Although he had some important moments, there was a lack of production down the stretch. Lux, who has two years left of team control, could help the Dodgers reel in a high-leverage reliever or an impact bat.
Lux plays the role of a “table setter,” hitting 9th; while doing this, he posted a .267 OBP, and while hitting 8th, he had a .273 OBP. His .320 OBP on the season was heavily skewed by him hitting 3-5 in the order in those summer months. While hitting 3rd, Lux posted a .460 OBP, while hitting 4th had a .500 OBP, and hitting 5th had a .397 OBP.
Realistically, he was only hitting in that slot due to numerous injuries, and he will almost always be in the 8th and 9th holes, his two worst spots in the order by OBP. I took Lux’s second half at face value, and it was not until deep-diving into his numbers that I saw the worrisome information I am sharing here.
Lux has not been the top prospect the organization expected him to be. If Lux gets moved, I would like to see the Dodgers give Alex Freeland an opportunity at second base, perhaps in a platoon role.I personally believe that Gavin Lux’s production, both offensively and defensively, can be very easily replaced with both internal and external options.
I do not think Gavin Lux is untouchable, nor should he be. We have seen the best from Lux at this point, and I believe the team and Lux could both use a fresh start. I believe the Dodgers feel that way, as indicated by including Lux in the Devin Williams trade package.
Gavin Lux’s time with the Dodgers has not been what either side has envisioned, and baseball is a business regardless of fan favoritism. I love Luxy and the energy he brings to the field, but it seems the fit is no longer there.
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