바카라사이트 The Los Angeles Dodgers moved passively this winter, putting the adjective of ‘big hand of the past’ to shame.
The offseason hero’s spotlight was completely handed over to rivals, the San Diego Padres, and he chose to build up his stability. Even in the frenzy of large contracts, the Dodgers remained quiet. The Philadelphia Phillies did not recruit a replacement for Trey Turner, their main shortstop. Turner left the Dodgers for 11 years and $300 million to Philadelphia.
It is not that there was no opportunity to recruit a replacement. Big players called “four shortstops” along with Turner, such as Carlos Correa (Minnesota Twins), Dansby Swanson (Chicago Cubs), and Xander Bogarts (San Diego Padres), appeared on the market last winter, but none of them were recruited.
It was interpreted as an unavoidable choice to reset the luxury tax rate by lowering the payroll from the competitive balance tax (luxury tax) standard. In a situation where the luxury tax was paid for the past two years, if the luxury tax standard is raised until this year, a progressive tax rate will be applied and more money will have to be paid. It was like a declaration of war that he would go ‘all-in’ to recruit Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels), who would soon qualify as a free agent (FA) after resetting this to ease the financial burden.
However, these plans have been thwarted since last winter. First of all, he tried to lower the payroll by ignoring the recruitment of a large shortstop, but failed. He was jailed for sexual assault and after an appeal, he released Trevor Bauer, whose punishment was reduced, but he was left with a salary of $22.5 million this year. With this $22.5 million salary, the Dodgers are getting closer to impossible to reset the luxury tax.
Instead, the Dodgers selected Gavin Lux, the team’s top prospect and non-tradeable resource, as their starting shortstop. Although it was evaluated that the defensive ability was lacking compared to the shortstops of the batting team, the Dodgers shrank to the point of using Lux as the shortstop. He acquired Miami Marlins starting shortstop Miguel Rojas in a trade, but Lux was the starting shortstop.
Lux also prepared to live up to expectations, saying, “It’s my dream to become the Dodgers’ starting shortstop.” However, on the 1st (Korean time), all expectations collapsed. In an exhibition game against the San Diego Padres, he sprained his left knee while running. His knees turned outwards and he fell. He was eventually diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and a collateral ligament injury. It’s a season out decision. “It’s so disappointing,” Lux said. He spent a lot of time training and getting along with his teammates, but not being able to go out on the field and play is very difficult,” he explained. Director Dave Roberts also said, “It is a very painful departure. It’s all Lux’s thoughts,” he said, lowering his head.
It was an adventure for the Dodgers that left all concerns behind and was full of anticipation. However, this plan took everything away. Right away, the season plan for this year was twisted. We need to fill the shortstop void right now. Rojas and Chris Taylor alternate at shortstop. Outfielder Mookie Betts is expected to become more frequent as a second baseman. There is a possibility of trade, but it is difficult to recruit heavyweights as the tightening stance will not change.
The Dodgers’ plan was disrupted in an instant due to Lux’s injury. Now, Ohtani is no longer a problem for the Dodgers. San Diego, which spent nearly 1 trillion won in the offseason and made a wild move, was really in danger of handing over the hegemony of the National League West and becoming a sidekick.
