Should the Los Angeles Dodgers consider trading Gavin Lux, or keep him around for next year? Rumors are flying around baseball faster than Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve. One of the latest was the Dodgers discussing trade packages with the Milwaukee Brewers for reliever Devin Williams. Milwaukee likely would have sent the high-leverage bullpen piece in exchange for the Dodgers’ starting second baseman, Lux. Ultimately, the New York Yankees outbid “The Boys in Blue” for Williams’ services. But the possibility of the Wisconsin native being traded isn’t a surprise as much as the timing of the discussion. Here are four reasons why Gavin Lux should still be wearing a Dodger uniform on Opening Day 2025.
Have you given up on Gavin Lux yet?@AlannaRizzo and @RealFRG explain why you shouldn’t.
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— Dodgers Territory (@LADTerritory) December 17, 2024
Four Reasons for the Dodgers to Keep Gavin Lux
A Hole in the Infield
When it was announced that Mookie Betts would be returning to the infield this year, most assumed it would be to second base. However, he will be the starting shortstop in 2025. If Lux were to be traded, Betts would probably move to second base. Unless the Dodgers were trading Lux for a shortstop in return, they would still need an everyday shortstop. Miguel Rojas at age 35 is a reliable backup, but the rigors of playing almost every day in 2024 took their toll on the veteran.
In addition, Los Angeles, usually good at developing depth in their organization, specifically in pitching and the outfield, lacks depth in the middle infield positions. There is promise in young Alex Freeland, but he won’t be major league-ready in 2025.
Furthermore, with Willy Adames off to the San Francisco Giants, there aren’t very many viable options on the free-agent market.
Decent Defense
After missing a full year due to his catastrophic knee injury, Lux was moved to second base due to the easier throw. He has been serviceable in terms of fielding and is the 12th-ranked second baseman in baseball according to ESPN. Lux had a .980 fielding percentage with a total of nine errors last year. He is fortunate to be on a team where whenever defensive errors happen, they can often be made null and void because of the Dodgers’ explosive offense. Lux isn’t perfect, but he doesn’t have to be. As long as he makes the routine plays, the Dodgers will live with that.
Clutch Offense
Lux is the former top prospect of the Dodgers organization, primarily because of his bat, and one could see why specifically after the All-Star Break. In a six-week period, he carried an injury-laden lineup, hitting well over .400. He cooled off gradually but still hit over .300. Perhaps more impressively, he hit a staggering .350 in high-leverage situations throughout the season, according to FanGraphs. This includes .283 with runners in scoring position. Case in point, he drove home the tying run in Game Five of the World Series.
To paraphrase Flannery O’Connor, “A good bat is hard to find.”
Economics
As deep as their pockets are, the Dodgers do have to conserve some resources, and Lux is making an affordable $2.3 million this year, being under team control for the next two years. That’s a bargain in today’s market.
In short, the Dodgers shouldn’t trade in haste, only to repent at leisure. They don’t have that Lux-ury right now.
Photo Credit: © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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