Never Question Me Again!

I liked that headline, but I am joking… partially!

I hate to keep saying this (no, I really don’t), but there was no way that Andrew Friedman and Josh Byrnes were going into the season with Gavin Lux at SS and Miguel Vargas at 3B. The conventional wisdom was that Lux was going to be the SS. Muncy was at 2B, and Vargas was at 3B. I said that I would rather see Jacob Amaya at SS than Lux, but I am thrilled with trading Jacob Amaya for Miguel Rojas, who will hold down the #9 spot in the batting order. Amaya may (I said “may”) ultimately become a better SS than Rojas, but if Vargas, Busch, and Outman make the team, the Dodgers do not need another rookie. They need a vet at SS! Miguel is a defense-first SS who has a career Fielding Average of .980 with a career BA of .260 and an OB% of .314. He is definitely a #9 hitter, and this is a perfect landing place for him THIS year.

Right about now, I am going to put the odds that Gavin Lux plays 2B at 50/50. I think the Dodgers are considering Lux in the outfield, and of course, some of you are going to say, “You are wrong! Hell No! No Way! He’s going to play 2B – pure and simple.” Well, I am going to say this once: “I have been telling you for years that Lux was no SS, and some of you wanted to argue about it, but it turns out I was right, and you were wrong! End of story!”

Now, there is a lot to be decided:

1. How does Max Muncy look? Is he healthy? Is he trimmer? Quicker? How does he look at 2B?
2. How does Miguel Vargas hit? How does he play 3B?
3. How does James Outman look in CF… or LF?
4. How does Mike Busch look in the spring?

Gavin Lux could end up at 2B or maybe the outfield. Miguel Vargas could be at 3B, or LF, and Max Muncy could be at 3B or 2B. This is what I know (barring injury). What I know is that Andrew Friedman pulled a rabbit out of his hat with Miguel Vargas. He doesn’t walk, and he doesn’t strike out. He puts the ball into play and he will bat 9th. Hitting 9th and eliminating the shift should maximize his ability.

Chris Taylor is expected to be traded unless Andrew Friedman pulls another Rabbit out of his hat and gets the Twins to pony up a few million for Trevor Bauer by throwing in some prospects. Time is short. It has to happen soon. The Dodgers are going to be under the Luxury Tax – BOOK IT!

To those of you who think James Outman will be a great centerfielder, based on his small sampling, I say, “Maybe, Maybe not!” We have not seen enough of him to make a rational determination., and if you say that Gavin Lux cannot play OF based on his small sampling, I say the same thing! Lux will need to learn to play the outfield. Craig Biggio learned to move from C to 2B to CF. Gavin Lux is a gifted athlete who does not have a great arm, but it’s a good arm, and it’s enough for CF.

I see James Outman as a 4th Outfielder. Here’s my 2023 lineup:

1. Lux CF
2. Betts RF
3. Freeman 1B
4. Martinez DH
5. Muncy 2B
6. Smith C
7. Vargas 3B
8. Busch LF
9. Rojas SS

Bench: Outman, Thompson, Barnes, Heyward, Dugger, Vivas, Leonard, Rushing, Hernandez – Pick ’em! Taylor may get traded!

Gavin Lux will likely hit .300 with a .385 OB% if he has nothing in his head about the Yips. He might hit 20 HR at leadoff. Maximize his offensive value and speed.

Rojas had a bad year in 2022, but he is a big bounce-back candidate, as he was injured most of last season. Miguel Rojas is an elite defensive shortstop who is a two-time Gold Glove finalist — including last season, when he ranked in the 98th percentile of outs above average, per Statcast — as well as a respected clubhouse leader. I suppose it’s possible that he could platoon with Lux, but I think Lux needs to play every day, and that will likely be in the outfield!

Rojas gives the Dodgers another year to find a SS. Don’t doubt what I am saying… right about now; my record is better than yours!