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  • Dodgers Nation

    One Blockbuster Trade the Dodgers Should Make to Solidify the Infield for Good

    By Noah Camras,

    16 days ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1oaYlN_0t3VJMZM00

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3FNx1D_0t3VJMZM00

    In the above video , Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain discusses one trade the Dodgers should consider to help shore up the infield once and for all.

    McKain brings up the idea of the Dodgers trading for a shortstop to allow Betts to slide back over to second base, and limit the wear and tear on his body.

    Betts has been working harder than anyone to ensure he plays a good shortstop for the Dodgers, and McKain is worried that’s potentially cutting into his offensive numbers at the plate.

    Betts was mired in a slump before he finally broke out of it this week, but had gone almost a month without a home run.

    The Dodgers moved Betts to second base from right field to protect his body and allow him to focus more on his offense. A full-time move to shortstop pretty much negated that protection this season.

    So, if the Dodgers wanted to allow Betts to go back to second base, McKain thinks they could make a splash trade for a two-time All-Star shortstop in Toronto Blue Jays Bo Bichette.

    As McKain says in the video, Bichette is struggling mightily this season, slashing .218/.275/.306 with two home runs and 13 RBIs. He hasn’t had an OPS below .800 in his career, and this year, he sits at .581 entering Wednesday.

    A trade for Bichette — a two-time All-Star and three-time top 20 American League MVP finisher — would shore up the shortstop position for the Dodgers in a big way. Bichette has only played shortstop in his big league career, and has been an average defender this season. While Betts has been putting in the work to play a good shortstop, he’s been a below-average shortstop according to the metrics with -2 Outs Above Average.

    Allowing Betts to shift back to second base — the position he’s been working on playing for the last few seasons — and focus more on his bat could help the Dodgers in the long run, and could put Betts in a position to not burn out later in the season. Bichette also has another year of team control before entering free agency in 2026.

    “The best thing for this Dodgers team is to go out there and get an everyday shortstop that you can trust in this role, and put Mookie Betts back at second base,” McKain says.

    The biggest question if the Dodgers were to acquire a shortstop would be what they do with Gavin Lux. After struggling to start the season, Lux is finally picking things up in his first season since 2022 as he returns from a torn ACL.

    As McKain points out, the Dodgers would almost have to include Lux in this trade, as there would be no room for him with Bichette at shortstop and Betts going back to second base.

    While Lux is starting to show signs of life after a slow start to the year, Bichette has proven to be a much better player, and the Dodgers would be banking on the 26-year-old getting back to form after an uncharacteristically slow start to the season.

    The Blue Jays struggle to develop pitching on their own, so a prospect package that includes at least one bonafide future major league pitcher with other prospects could get the job done. The Dodgers don’t have a great shortstop plan in their minor leagues, so Bichette could be the new shortstop of the future in Los Angeles.

    Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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