Yankees should explore this trade with Dodgers after Mookie Betts position switch

Last offseason, the New York Yankees made two trades with the Los Angeles Dodgers — neither of which worked out for Brian Cashman's side. And LA's World Series victory could be directly attributed to both trade failures, if we really wanted to split hairs.

The Yankees' acquisitions of Victor Gonzalez, Caleb Ferguson and Jorbit Vivas did literally nothing, while the Dodgers managed to at least turn Trey Sweeney into Jack Flaherty at the trade deadline (oh, and clear the necessary roster space to sign Shohei Ohtani).

Maybe Cashman can try one more time this offseason? After essentially announcing Gleyber Torres won't be back in 2025, the awaited vacancy at second base is as real as it's ever been. The obvious answer is to move Jazz Chisholm there and go with a platoon of Oswaldo Cabrera/Jon Berti at the hot corner, something that actually feels right. Or maybe Jorbit Vivas?! Kidding ... unless ...?

But does that make the Yankees better? That kind of maintains the status quo, at best. Perhaps the Dodgers have the answer for New York after their decision to move Mookie Betts back to the infield created some roster questions.

Per the loudest speculation, Gavin Lux's future in LA could be in jeopardy with Betts possibly moving to second base. So ... why not acquire Lux to play second base for the Yankees in 2025?

Yankees Rumors: Gavin Lux could be smart trade fit if Dodgers are willing to deal

Lux started off the 2024 season terribly as he made his return from a torn ACL suffered during spring training in 2023. But he ended up finishing the year with a .251/.320/.383 line with a 101 OPS+, 59 runs scored, 10 homers, 50 RBI and a 2.1 bWAR. He provided a positive defensive output across his 138 games at second base. He's already projected to be better than Torres, who led the AL in errors in 2020, 2023 and 2024, on the defensive side of the ball.

What else? He's a lefty! The Yankees still need those. He may not be leadoff material, but as a lineup lengthener he could be lethal. He benefits from a pull/center profile with his spray chart distribution, which would help him greatly in Yankee Stadium.

Otherwise, this acquisition would give the Yankees a ton of flexibility. What would they like to do? Keep Chisholm at third and upgrade at first base? What about moving Chisholm to center field and upgrading both first and third base? That could move Aaron Judge back to right field and send Juan Soto to left field (if he's willing) in what would be a better (but still imperfect) outfield alignment. Dominguez could be the first guy off the bench and work himself into an everyday role. Or, if they lose Soto (please no!), Judge goes back to right, Chisholm goes to center, Dominguez goes to left and they sign Alex Bregman/Willy Adames?

Either way, solidifying second base with a cost-effective, left-handed option while taking advantage of a contender's surplus is a good thing, and it'd continue making New York an attractive destination.