With the calendar turning to July, it’s now the month of the MLB trade deadline, which will give the Los Angeles Dodgers the opportunity to acquire players that could help solidify their roster heading into the end of the season and the postseason.
One of the most talked about positions for the Dodgers to trade for is shortstop. With the struggles to Gavin Lux before the season and Mookie Betts stepping in to play the position before the season, the Dodgers don’t have a true everyday shortstop. The injury to Betts only expedited these concerns and talk surrounding the importance of the Dodgers bringing in another shortstop.
Despite the discourse, the Dodgers don’t feel the same way, and trust Betts at the position.
“We trust in Mook. He’s going to stay ready to play shortstop when he comes back,” Dodgers general manager Gomes said to Bill Plunkett of the O.C. Register. “I think it’s wait and see how it plays out. But we have full trust in Mookie being our shortstop. He’s just never a guy I would bet against.”
The Dodgers might also choose to keep Miguel Rojas in at shortstop for the long run, and move Betts back to second base. Rojas was initially slated to not play everyday, but has stepped up his playing time in the wake of the Betts’ injury.
“I don’t think anyone can debate the level of shortstop play from Miguel Rojas,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “So I think some of that is contingent on Mookie’s timeline … time of return, when he comes back, where Miggy is at physically and how things are going. But to your question – would I consider it? Absolutely.”
If the Dodgers don’t prioritize a trade for shortstop, they still have several other needs they can pursue like bullpen depth and outfield help.
