When Trea Turner signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in free agency, it left a sizable hole at shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The club reportedly had interest in Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa and Dansby Swanson as possible replacements, but did not wind up with either player.
The Dodgers nevertheless bolstered their infield depth by acquiring Miguel Rojas from the Miami Marlins in exchange for prospect Jacob Amaya. Rojas had served as the Marlins’ primary shortstop over the last few years but is currently on the mend from separate operations on his right wrist and hand.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman currently projects Lux to be the team’s starting shortstop this year, with Rojas filling a utility role, via Jim Bowden of CBS Sports:
Andrew Friedman #Dodgers told us that if he had to guess now he sees Muncy at 3B Lux at SS Vargas at 2B Taylor in OF…Rojas utility…but team has a lot of positional flexibility and open to competition @MLBNetworkRadio @FantasyAlarm
— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) January 29, 2023
Even as the Dodgers were linked to the top free-agent shortstops earlier this offseason, Friedman and general manager Brandon Gomes both expressed their confidence that Lux was capable of handling starting duties at the position in 2023.
The 25-year-old has a history of throwing issues and played just 31 innings at shortstop across nine games last season. Lux has played 502.1 innings there in 68 games (50 starts) over the course of his career and owns a .968 fielding percentage at shortstop.
However, advanced metrics have not been favorable. Lux has just one defensive run saved and one out above average at shortstop, and his ultimate zone rating per 150 games is -10.4.
Dodgers plan with Miguel Vargas
Along with discussing plans for Lux and Rojas, Friedman confirmed Max Muncy will remain at third base and Miguel Vargas is on track to start at second base.
Vargas has limited experience up the middle, but regularly took grounders there prior to games when he was up with the Dodgers last season.
Over four Minor League seasons, Vargas has only played 28 games (27 starts) at second base.
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