Dodgers Team News

Dodgers Offseason: Fans React to the Idea of Gavin Lux Replacing Trea Turner at Shortstop

Once the World Series ended, free agency officially began, which means Trea Turner is no longer the Dodgers’ shortstop, at least for now. There are several other top shortstops on the free agent market, of course, and a possible trade target or two, too. There are also a couple internal options, including minor-league shortstop Jacob Amaya and Gavin Lux, who has played mostly second base in the big leagues but came through the L.A. farm system as a shortstop.

We asked Dodger fans what they think about the idea of Lux replacing Trea at shortstop, and the replies were a veritable masterclass in all the different ways to say “no.”

There were some interesting comments, for sure, including a few with the magical combination of “Lux sucks!” and “Trade him for someone good,” which isn’t really how front offices work these days, as they generally like to trade their good players for other good players.

At least one fan said if the Dodgers don’t re-sign Trea, he’s out as a fan, which is an impressive amount of loyalty to build up in 15 months.

It wasn’t all negative about the idea, though. A few fans thought it was worth a try.

Lux has had some defensive struggles at second base, and he had some issues with the throws from shortstop in the minors, but he cut his errors in half from 2018 to 2019 and he’s an outstanding athlete. Honestly, the question would come down to whether he could hit. If he was hitting the ball well, fans would look past any defensive shortcomings just as we did with Hanley Ramirez and Corey Seager and Trea Turner. If he doesn’t hit and doesn’t play good defense, that’s when we get into Mariano Duncan and Jose Offerman territory.

It will definitely be interesting to see what direction the Dodgers go.

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Jeff Snider

Jeff was born into a Dodgers family in Southern California and is now raising a Dodgers family of his own in Utah. During his previous career as an executive at a technology company, he began writing about baseball in his spare time. After leaving corporate America in 2014, he started doing it professionally. Jeff wrote and edited for Baseball Essential for years before joining Dodgers Nation. He's also the co-host of the Locked On Dodgers podcast, a daily podcast that brings the smart fan's perspective on our Boys in Blue. Jeff has a degree in English from Brigham Young University. Favorite Player: Clayton Kershaw Favorite Moment: Kirk Gibson's homer will always have a place, but Kershaw's homer on Opening Day 2013 might be the winner.

20 Comments

  1. Putting Gavin Lux at shortstop reminds me when the Dodgers put Bill Russell at shortstop. It seemed to work. I’m not certain that this is the same scenario but worth the chance.

    1. Moving him to ss opens up second base for Michael Busch, their 1st round choice a couple of years ago who hit 32 home runs in AAA this year. Honestly it’s probably a good time to start the youth movement with an eye toward moving the team into the future rather than trying to hold together something that can only show 1 WS victory, albeit in a shortened season. On the same topic, I’d probably also give Vargas a decent shot at 3B and possibly Outmann and/or Pages in the OF.

  2. If front office thinks he can handle ss I’m in. His defense can’t be much worse than Trea’s….

  3. I’m all for bringing up guys, but there are no guarantees on guys like Turner and Judge, Arenado is staying on the Cards. I’d keep JT and platoon him with an upcoming guy on our team to give JT more days off. I don’t know if I’m ready to give the reins to Lux at SS. Keep him at 2b, or trade bait, and bring up Michael Bush. Get rid of Belli, and bring up Outman. I think. I’d take a swing at Dansby unless there is a logical trade senario for a stud prospect SS. We need starting pitching. Eventhou we have Buhler and May back. If Kershaw remains a ? We need another Stud Vet in the rotation.

  4. Until Lux got hurt, I would have said, give it a shot. But when he came back he looked like the Lux from the previous years. Now that move would make me very nervous!

  5. Lux may be a SS, but not for the Dodgers. That position is the captain of the infield with not only defensive talent but also being very cerebral of the game. Lux is an average infielder with an erratic arm and at times brain fog. They must re-sign Trea or get either Swanson or Bogaerts, a more dependable and trusted SS. Try Busch @ second, who they think so highly of, and trade Lux along with others to get quality SP. CK will be gone, Buehler lost for most of 2023, May & Gonsolin question marks, and untested Miller & Stone. Must be solid @ SS, SP, and BP for a championship team.

  6. Agreed Prince. I’d say sign Correa as well. Much better D and bat than Lux. Gavin is to injury prone. Bogaerts would be a good move as well. Drop Kershaw and use his money on one of them. Kimbrel’s money could be used on signing Rodon..

  7. Lux has throwing yips it would be disastrous, Resign turner at all costs you can’t replace the bat with anyone available package lux as trade bait for a pitcher with beli I’m sure the front office will do right fingers crossed .

  8. Lux was the top prospect in all of baseball a few years ago. He deserves his chance not just a few games then to the bench play him the whole season he proved he can hit as he was around 290 almost all year. Defensively he’s probably better than Trea. Just give him a chance.

  9. Lux at SS? Are you kidding me. The guy had trouble making throws from second base. I look at SS as a key position on a team. Your SS is your best infielder. I say trade him for someone better and more experienced. Get rid of Bellinger and the two Turners. It’s time to bring up the AAA youth. They are too good to spend another year in OK. Either play them or use them for trades.

  10. If the Dodgers are going to pay big bucks to another SS they need to make the big offer to Trea Turner first. Gavin Lux doesn’t have the consistency that is needed in this position. He has made some reluctant plays in critical spots that can’t be made at this level of the game. We want Trea!

  11. Drop Belli. He has had enough time to come back. Keep Trea Turner and J.T. Play the young guys because 2 or 3 of them will blossom. Kershaw would be a great teacher to the younger pitchers

  12. As you said Lux was hitting 300 till he got hurt. Then Roberts started with his experimenting and didn’t give him a chance to get back into the swing of things. He always had good contact and with no more shift he will only get better.

  13. The hell is wrong with you? NOBODY WANTS CORREA. That mother f er is a cheater and an a hole. Many fans will quit being fans, me included if that s bag comes here.

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