Dave Roberts Reveals Reasoning for Replacing Gavin Lux With Mookie Betts at Shortstop

Roberts explains why he replaced Lux with Mookie at shortstop as we approach the Seoul series.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were adamant that their shortstop of the present and future would be their former top prospect, Gavin Lux. Even after coming off his torn ACL last season, L.A. believed Lux was the guy at the six spots on the diamond. 

They had no reason to be worried, as the shortstop position is Lux's natural position. He played it growing up and in the minor league system. 

However, with more proven and All-Star caliber players available, as he was coming up as a prospect, the Dodgers had no choice but to play him at second base. However, those players are now all gone, and it's Lux's position for the taking. Well, it's been taken. 

Recently, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts moved Gold Glover and All-Star Mookie Betts to shortstop and Lux will play second. The move wasn't surprising, as Lux hasn't looked good at his natural position all spring long. 

Lux's defensive play was a bit concerning, and Roberts wasn't hesitant to make the move. Roberts revealed the reasoning for replacing Lux with Betts at shortstop in his latest media scrum. 

“Where we’re at on the calendar, just to make this move right now, it’s something that the entire organization feels is the right thing to do,” Roberts said.

“He’s such a great competitor and wants to perform well,” Roberts said of Lux. “But we just felt that, maybe taking [off] a little bit of that pressure to throw the ball across the diamond might help him.”

—Dave Roberts

This wasn't a part of the plan. 

The plan was for Betts to be the permanent second baseman and for Lux to take care of the shortstop position every day for the first time in his career. However, a few throwing errors and a few bounced throws to first base during spring games changed everything. 

Lux has not looked smooth at all. In his defense, he is coming back from a severe injury, which could play a massive part in it. In the long run, this could be a minor hiccup at the start of his career as the everyday Dodgers shortstop. Or it could be that Lux is not meant to be a shortstop in the big leagues. 

Nonetheless, the 26-year-old is ready to redeem himself, according to Roberts. 

“And I think that Gavin’s looking forward to getting over there and just playing. Like I said, the calendar, where we’re at, we got to make a decision. I think right now that’s best for the Dodgers.”

—Dave Roberts

Whether or not it'll last all season long that's up to Lux and his play.