Like in previous years, a Los Angeles Dodgers farm system that is rich in talent has been the source of speculation as talks intensify before the MLB trade deadline. This season, the Dodgers have fielded plenty of reported interest for Gavin Lux, Dustin May and Keibert Ruiz.
In their quest to acquire a relief pitcher — specifically Brad Hand or Felipe Vazquez — it’s been said the cost would be a package that includes one of the Dodgers’ top prospects. The Pittsburgh Pirates have been linked to May and Ruiz.
Catching is a position of weakness for the Pirates both at the Major League level and in terms of prospects, and acquiring Ruiz would certainly be a boon.
However, it now appears talks between the Dodgers and Pirates have slowed in large part due to both clubs having high regard for Lux, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney:
The Pirates-Dodgers talks about Felipe Vazquez currently bogged down in part because Pirates want No.1 prospect Gavin Lux and the Dodgers want to keep him.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 29, 2019
Of their top prospects in the organization, the Dodgers would appear to be most likely to trade Ruiz. Will Smith has proven capable of succeeding at the Major League level, and there are additional catching prospects working their way up the organization.
Meanwhile, Lux has put together an impressive 2019 campaign that began with Double-A Tulsa and continued after a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Lux’s torrid production earned him Pacific Coast League Player of the Week honors for July 15-21.
The 21-year-old has made recent starts at second base, though it’s unclear if that’s in possible preparation for a September call-up or plans further down the road. Lux’s ability to effectively play both middle infield positions makes him of greater value to the Dodgers.
He initially was pegged as an heir apparent of sorts to Corey Seager, though Lux conceivably could soon find himself playing alongside the 2016 National League Rookie of the Year.
