Blockbuster Trade the Dodgers Need to Make Coming Off Their 2024 World Series Win
The Los Angeles Dodgers will be active this offseason coming off their second World Series championship in five years. Despite spending over $1 billion last winter, the team plans to be aggressive again, continuing to shore up the roster as they aim to become the first back-to-back World Series champion since the New York Yankees won three straight from 1998-2000.
The Dodgers have made a few minor league signings thus far, and they’re also meeting with the prize of this year’s free agent class, Juan Soto, on Tuesday. Aside from that, the major news that has come from L.A. this offseason was general manager Brandon Gomes announcing that Mookie Betts would be returning to the infield in 2025.
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Betts, who entered last season as the team’s starting second baseman, was quickly moved over to shortstop as Gavin Lux struggled defensively coming back from a torn ACL. Betts was then the team’s shortstop until he broke his hand in June, and when he returned in August, he went back to right field.
While the Dodgers lineup seems to be optimized with Betts in right field, the three-time World Series champion has made his intentions clear about returning to the infield. Thus, the Dodgers are planning on granting him that wish.
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Betts’ return to the infield creates a bit of a logjam, though. Betts, Lux, Miguel Rojas, and Tommy Edman can all play the middle infield, and the team is also linked to star free agent shortstop Willy Adames. It’s unlikely Betts goes back to shortstop, meaning he’s likely going to be the team’s second baseman come Opening Day of 2025.
With Betts at second base, Lux, Rojas, and Edman would all be options at shortstop. However, Rojas and Edman seem to be the better options defensively after Lux struggled last spring and ended up playing much better at second base. So, at this point, Lux appears to be the odd man out.
While the Dodgers would love to keep Lux, a homegrown talent and former first-round pick who came into his own last year, the team also has bigger offensive needs in the outfield, and tons of needs on the pitching side of things. Thus, Lux is a perfect trade candidate.
While Lux could very well headline a package for All-Star ace Garrett Crochet of the Chicago White Sox, who are looking for position players, there’s another trade that makes even more sense for Lux and the Dodgers. Lux should headline a package to the Milwaukee Brewers for two-time All-Star right-handed reliever Devin Williams, who’s entering his final year of team control and is a prime candidate to be moved. Here is what the full package would look like:
Dodgers receive: Right-handed pitcher Devin Williams
Brewers receive: Infielder Gavin Lux, right-handed pitching Peter Heubeck, right-handed pitching prospect Payton Martin
Why the Dodgers Would Do This Trade
The Dodgers are getting one of the nastiest relievers in baseball in Williams, a two-time National League Reliever of the Year award winner who has a career 1.83 ERA, and hasn’t had an ERA above 2.50 since his rookie year.
Williams, nicknamed the “Airbender” because of his devastating changeup, would fit in perfectly in the back of the Dodgers’ bullpen as a true closer or eighth inning option alongside Michael Kopech.
A bullpen of Kopech, Williams, Evan Phillips, and Alex Vesia would be downright unfair, and would make the L.A. bullpen even better a year after that same group willed the Dodgers to a World Series win.
Why the Brewers Would Do This Trade
As for the Brewers, they’re getting a 26-year-old infielder with two more years of team control who had a solid season coming off a torn ACL, hitting .251 with a career-high 10 home runs, 50 RBIs, and a wRC+ of 104. The Brewers are expecting to lose Adames, and could move second baseman Brice Turang back to shortstop, with Joey Ortiz staying at third base. That would create an opening at second base, which would be perfect for Lux, the Kenosha, Wisconsin native who grew up 40 miles from the Brewers’ home stadium.
As for the pitchers, the Brewers are getting two of the Dodgers’ top 30 pitching prospects who are expected to debut in the next few seasons. Heubeck had a 3.05 ERA across 24 starts in High-A last year, while Martin had a 3.38 ERA across 13 starts in High-A. The Brewers would get the opportunity to develop each of these pitchers, while also getting Lux as their potential second baseman of the future.
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Yes please!
Sad to see Mookie wanting to do the infield spots (although plugging Soto into right wouldn’t be a tragedy, but an unlikely prospect). Here we see the Dodgers turning one of the best defensive outfielders in history into a pretty average middle infielder (and I don’t care how long he works at it or how much he enjoys the challenge). At his age he will never be elite in the infield, so this is a move that is far more likely to weaken than to strengthen the team.
At SS it’s true but Mookie is exceptional at 2B
Let’s fire Gomes and Andy, and hire you, a narcissistic fan, with an over inflated ego.
Leave the roster construction to the pro’s in the Dodgers front office, form the world champion Dodgers the way they see. Fit
The Dodgers aren’t doing it… Mookie is requesting it. He will be playing second base (Where he started with the Red Sox) and feels it will be easier on his legs in the long run. Shortstop will be covered by Tommy Edman/Miguel Rojas (or Willy Adames if he signs) while second can easily be handled by Mookie with back-up minutes by Chris Taylor or Kike Hernandez. In this way, Teoscar can play right field, Pages Left field with Edman/Kike Hernandez in Center. Its a win win all the way around, You are right, he would probably never be an elite Shortstop but he will be an elite second baseman having played there many times,,, Give the man a chance…
What about Blake Treinen ?
Good question Elliot!…..It would be a crime not to bring Treinen back. He’s been a big and reliable part of that bull pen.
My thoughts exactly!
Too much to give up for one year of Williams. Helsley is also rumored to be available. Include Lux in a package for Crochet and resign Treinen. Ideally, they’d just keep Mookie in right field where he makes the entire team better.
Treinen must stay!
Mookie in the infield is selfish and bad for the team. He’s mediocre. The trade with Milwaukee has some good points. But, I would rather have Adames over Lux/Betts/Rojas/Edman at SS.
I keep seeing folks saying Mookie is a mediocre infielder and at SS, I agree BUT…… Mookie’s talking about 2B, at which he’s excellent. Mookie’s NOT looking to be SS. Also, Mookie’s not a selfish guy; I’m willing to bet there’s a very physical health reason he’s made this request.
Agreed! Mookie needs to stay in right field. He is awful at 2nd and short!
ALl winter, we see these “Blockbuster Trade Proposal” articles. Is that all you do, sit around and try to do someone else’s job? NONE of these “Blockbuster Trade Proposal” ideas ever happen. There must be interesting content out there, maybe yu could find it if you go look…
Working on a deal for Williams is great but they DO need Treinen with Graterol out with a surgery and Kelly probably gone. Treinen is a horse in the bullpen and a very trusted piece to get the job done with great team character. I don’t understand why they are so quiet about him?
They will have excess starters to park in the bullpen. These may include Gonsolin, May, Miller, Casperius, so bullpen help is not a priority.
Resign Treinen, yes.
Betts has 9 years left on his contract. Do whatever is most likely to keep him healthy and happy,either 2B or RF.
Adames, yes.
Trading Lux and little known minor leaguers with no chance to make the rotation for years to come is fine. Get something for Lux (and minor league pitchers) since they are not likely to contribute to the Dodgers in 2025 or the future. Mookie can handle 2B for many years to come, if that is what he wants to do. The Brewers will want better prospects than these unknown low minor leaguers.
We need to get Otanni off leadoff and take advantage of RBI,s