The Los Angeles Dodgers currently have a void at shortstop with Trea Turner a free agent for the first time in his career. He is part of a stacked group that also includes Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson.
Turner has drawn interest from multiple teams and is considered unlikely to re-sign with the Dodgers due to his widely reported preference of returning to the East Coast. However, the two sides are maintaining communication and a reunion can’t be ruled out.
If Turner ultimately departs, the Dodgers could pivot to another top free-agent shortstop. They have already been linked to Bogaerts, Correa and Swanson, but there are obstacles that could preclude them from signing any of the three player.
In the event the Dodgers don’t sign a free-agent shortstop, they will presumably shift their focus to the trade market. According to Juan Toribio of MLB.com, the Dodgers have interest in a potential trade for Willy Adames of the Milwaukee Brewers:
A trade for the Brewers’ Willy Adames makes too much sense and the Dodgers have shown interest, but it remains to be seen if Milwaukee is ready to unload its franchise shortstop.
Adames is coming off a productive season that saw him hit .238/.298/.458 with 31 doubles, 31 home runs and 98 RBI across 617 plate appearances (139 games). He also provided elite defense and accumulated 4.4 WAR for his efforts.
Adames is in his second year of salary-arbitration eligibility and won’t become a free agent until after the 2024 season.
While Adames would be a good fallback plan for the Dodgers, it isn’t clear if the Brewers are willing to trade him. Milwaukee has moved Josh Hader and Hunter Renfroe in recent months, but they appear to be retooling rather than rebuilding, and still plan to compete next season.
Dodgers confident in Gavin Lux as option at shortstop
If the Dodgers strike out on both the free-agent and trade markets for a shortstop, they reportedly feel confident in Gavin Lux assuming starting duties at the position in 2023.
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