Given the amount of money the Los Angeles Dodgers have spent this offseason, it’s easy to assume they have no holes in their starting line-up. However, this turned out to not be the case. Gavin Lux, who was supposed to be the starting shortstop, has been struggling all spring. Los Angeles decided to move Lux over to second base and unexpectedly made Mookie Betts the shortstop. It was a surprising move given that Miguel Rojas and Kike Hernandez have played the position before. Betts is only going to be a temporary fix. I believe that the Dodgers need to acquire Willy Adames at some point this season.
Gavin Lux Is Struggling
Embed from Getty ImagesThe former top prospect was originally slated to take over the position last year after Trea Turner departed in free agency. However, Lux tore his ACL in camp costing him the entire 2023 season. Light-hitting Miguel Rojas would spend most of that year as the Dodgers shortstop. However, despite this setback, the Dodgers still had high hopes that Gavin Lux would take over.
This upcoming season, it was still presumed that Gavin Lux would be the Dodgers shortstop on Opening Day. However, Lux has struggled for most of spring training. He reportedly has developed a case of the yips. Rather than risking Lux’s throwing issues hurting them in the regular season, the Dodgers opted to move him to second base.
The Surprise Mookie Betts Position Move
Embed from Getty ImagesTaking over the shortstop position is gold glove-winning outfielder Mookie Betts. This was an outside-the-box move given the presence of Kike Hernandez and Miguel Rojas. Hernandez and Rojas have both combined to appear in 1,023 games at the position. Rojas is a much superior defender at the position than Hernandez and Betts. While Rojas isn’t known for his offense, he has proven to be a solid defender. Last season, while appearing in 121 games at the position, Rojas saved over 12 runs for the Dodgers. Mookie Betts has just started playing the position, making 16 appearances all coming last season.
Willy Adames Is Available
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Milwaukee Brewers aren’t going to be headed to the postseason this year. They are currently a team in transition. The Brewers are trying to get younger and open another contention window. Milwaukee has already dealt former Cy Young award winner Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles. After this season, Willy Adames is eligible for free agency. Despite Adames wanting to stay, the Brewers don’t appear to have any intention of signing him to a long-term contract. Adames has been the subject of trade rumors the past two seasons and Milwaukee will want to trade him for prospects.
Willy Adames Would Fill The Hole Nicely
Embed from Getty ImagesMookie Betts playing shortstop isn’t going to be the permanent solution this season. At the trade deadline, I expect the Dodgers to go after Milwaukee Brewers star Willy Adames. Adames would upgrade the position significantly. Unlike Betts, Adames is a proven shortstop. He is a much better offensive player than Rojas. In the past three seasons, Adames has hit at least 24 or more home runs. He’s also a stalwart defensively as he has over 20 defensive runs saved in his career. Acquiring Adames should also allow Mookie Betts to return to his natural positions of either second base or outfield.
It Wouldn’t Cost A lot To Get Him
The Dodgers will have no problem meeting the Brewers’ demands to acquire Adames. Los Angeles currently has the eighth-best farm system in all of baseball. This trade will not require them to deal away top prospects Dalton Rushing and Nick Frasso. Instead, all the Dodgers will most likely have to deal away are a mid-level prospect or two to acquire Willy Adames. The Brewers star will most likely be just a rental and those players don’t require a significant amount of capital. Adames also isn’t an all-star caliber player.
Adames Would Be A Significant Upgrade Both Offensively And Defensively
Embed from Getty ImagesMookie Betts shouldn’t be the Dodgers permanent solution at shortstop. He is simply a band-aid now. The Brewers will be looking to sell off more stars and Willy Adames is on the trade block. Milwaukee is looking to deal away players with expiring contracts for prospects. The Dodgers farm system wouldn’t be greatly affected if they made this move. Acquiring Adames will give the Dodgers someone superior to what they currently have on the roster both offensively and defensively.
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