The Los Angeles Dodgers certainly made waves earlier this week with a series of moves. In what can only be described as a roster reshuffle of sorts, changing the position of Mookie Betts, the Dodgers sent infielder Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for outfield prospect Mike Sirota and a 2025 Competitive Balance (37th overall) pick. The team isn’t just clearing space for Lux’s departure, they’re also bolstering their infield with some savvy new acquisitions.

In the same breath, LA welcomed second baseman Ha-seong Kim to the fold, signing him to a three-year, $12.5 million deal straight off the international free agent market. Earlier in the off-season, they also locked up utility man Tommy Edman to a five-year, $74 million contract, strengthening their middle infield depth even further. So, the World Series seems to be on a roll! 

Mookie Betts at shortstop is a move that’s been discussed for years  

Kim, the former KBO star, could be the defensive ace they need at second. This seems like a chance for Betts to take over shortstop duties for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025. The news just became that much more real after a video surfaced. In the footage shared by Dodgersbeat, a glimpse of the reigning MVP working in the dirt at shortstop is looking as smooth as ever. Yeah, Mookie’s been practicing, and he’s ready to shine in a position that the baseball world kind of knew was coming. But seeing it with our own eyes, feel unreal, ain’t it?

Well, that’s a whole different ball game. But for weeks, rumors had been swirling, and reports from The Athletic had already hinted at the possibility. But now, there’s visual confirmation. Mookie Betts is all-in on this shortstop experiment, and honestly, it feels like the Dodgers are setting up something special. Of course, this wouldn’t have happened without the Gavin Lux trade. What do you feel?  

LA Dodgers parted ways with a homegrown talent 

Gavin Lux, the 27-year-old infielder, who was drafted 20th overall in 2016 and debuted in September 2019, has officially been traded to the Cincinnati Reds. The return? Minor league outfielder Mike Sirota and a competitive-balance pick. It’s a deal that signals the Dodgers’ shifting priorities as they remake their roster for another run at glory—but it also feels like the end of an era, one that had so much promise for the kid from the 2016 draft class.

Lux was always considered a crucial piece in the Dodgers’ infield. After Corey Seager’s departure in 2022, many thought Lux would slide right into the shortstop role, carrying the torch forward. But then in 2023, the spring training injury saw him tear both the anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments in his right knee. That was a cruel twist of fate – a devastating blow for Lux and the Dodgers, who had been counting on him to lock down that shortstop spot.  

Now, just a few months later, Lux’s time with the Dodgers is officially over. Two World Series rings, and an unforgettable Game 5 in 2020 where he drove in the game-tying run to help clinch the title – that’s what a Dodger Gavin Lux was. So, why the trade? The Dodgers, of course, have their eyes firmly on 2025 and beyond. With the addition of Ha-seong Kim and the already-signed Tommy Edman, they had an abundance of infield talent. Throw in Mookie Betts, the team’s prospective shortstop, and there simply wasn’t a place for Lux.

Do you think Mookie Betts could be the shortstop the Dodgers have been looking for? Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with us.