Radio host claims only Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani allowed to be inflexible in light of Dodgers trading Gavin Lux to Reds

The LA Dodgers traded second baseman Gavin Lux on Monday to the Cincinnati Reds. In exchange, the Dodgers received a prospect and a competitive balance pick. The prospect, outfielder Mike Sirota, was selected 87th by the Reds in the 2024 draft. Meanwhile, the competitive balance pick will be in Round A.

The deal has prompted mixed reactions. Among them, ESPN Los Angeles radio host Greg Bergman described how Lux’s value for the Dodgers wasn’t as high as other players, considering his lack of flexibility on the field.

“The problem is that Gavin Lux can only play second base," Bergman said Monday. "He can’t play OF… He can’t play short. He also can’t hit lefties. He also has a hard time running around second base.”

According to Bergman, that lack of positional flexibility and limited skills motivated the Dodgers to find a willing trade partner for Gavin Lux, particularly in light of Hyeseong Kim’s singing.

Bergman added that the team philosophy in Los Angeles is to play multiple positions.

“So, this Dodgers team doesn’t allow you to only do one thing. You have to play multiple positions unless you’re Freddie Freeman or Shohei Ohtani,” Bergman said.

Bergman underscored the point by highlighting how Mookie Betts has played shortstop in the past in addition to being a Gold Glove outfielder.

Ultimately, the only two players on the team’s roster without seeming positional flexibility are Freeman and Shohei Ohtani. However, if Ohtani gets back on the mound, he will offer unique adaptability by returning to his two-way performance.

Mookie Betts to play short for Dodgers

Positional flexibility is highly valued by the Dodgers organization. Super utility players like Chris Taylor highlighted how important it is to play multiple positions in Los Angeles.

However, one player in particular, Mookie Betts, stands out as someone who will be playing a different role this upcoming season. According to general manager Brandon Gomes, Betts will be given a shot to play shortstop for the club in 2025.

During this offseason’s Winter Meetings, Gomes said, (per MLB):

“He’s ready for the challenge. He feels like, with a full offseason, he can go and tackle that.”

Last year, Betts moved to the infield out of necessity. Injuries and inconsistent play forced the team to make moves, prompting manager Dave Roberts to try Betts at short and second. While the move largely worked, it was a makeshift solution. Now, with a proper chance to take on a new position, Betts should be ready to shine.

“It’s easy to be on him with the full offseason… but all the confidence in Mookie,” Roberts said.

Indeed, with his manager’s seal of approval, Mookie Betts should seamlessly transition into a bona fide big-league shortstop while letting his bat lead the way.