Mookie Betts currently holds the position of shortstop on a long-term basis.
While the possibility of Willy Adames joining the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2024 season still exists, a national reporter believes any potential trade involving the shortstop is unlikely to occur until closer to the annual MLB trade deadline. Jon Morosi of MLB Network informed Doug McKain of DodgersNation.com that the Milwaukee Brewers are not expected to trade their starting shortstop Adames before the trade deadline approaches later in the season.
“I’d be a little surprised if they made that move right now. And I think that if it was going to happen, it would’ve happened by now. … I tend to think that they’ll revisit that conversation around the trade deadline time.”
— MLB Network’s Jon Morosi,
During the offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers assigned Mookie Betts to play second base, after he had rotated between right field, second base, and shortstop during the 2023 season. Betts’ ability to play multiple positions benefited the Dodgers and contributed to his second-place finish in the National League MVP voting.
Meanwhile, Gavin Lux was reinstated as the starting shortstop during spring training, having missed the entire previous year due to knee surgery rehabilitation. However, Lux’s return to the field was unsuccessful.
This led to speculation that the Dodgers would seek external reinforcements at the shortstop position. As recently as a week ago, reports indicated that the team’s front office remained interested in acquiring shortstop Willy Adames.
At this moment, Betts is currently the Dodgers’ shortstop, and Lux’s shift to second base will not be reconsidered until the season concludes. Adames continues to play for the Brewers.
It seems likely that this setup will persist unless the Milwaukee front office deems 2024 as a rebuilding year. The National League Central competition is unusually intense this year, particularly with the Brewers having traded Corbin Burnes to Baltimore and facing the absence of pitcher Brandon Woodruff due to shoulder surgery.
The Dodgers have their own motivations for delaying any potential trade discussions.
“I’m sure they’re still open to the conversation. I’m just not sure that we’re going to see it happen right now, especially because if the Dodgers make that trade, they’ll probably have to give up some of the pitching depth that they need right now. So, for a lot of reasons, I don’t see it happening. Never say never. But I would say, check back with that conversation some time in July.”
— Morosi
If Lux and Betts establish a strong chemistry on the field and with their performance at the plate, it’s possible that the trade speculations will vanish entirely.
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