The Alamo Short Stacks and Maltese Falcons completed a simple two-player swap on late Wednesday night with the Stacks acquiring infielder Gavin Lux (2R/$3) from the Falcons for catcher Joey Bart (Minors).
Lux was quietly pacing towards a breakthrough season with a .297/.373/.439 line through August 22. He then was bothered by neck and back issues, dropping his numbers to .162/.197/.191 line for the rest of the season. Lux hit fewer fly balls and his HR/FB dropped to a career-low 6.2%, but the added groundballs fueled a career-best .341 BABIP. Lux knocked a career-high 20 doubles, so despite a dip in home runs, his ISO and slugging were new personal bests.
With a cleared out Dodgers depth chart, Lux is slotted in as the everyday shortstop in Los Angeles which was a position of need for the Stacks after Brendan Rodgers lost eligibility there. The move to add Lux could signal the release of catcher Will Smith (2/$31), saving the Stacks $28 in cap space for the 2023 Auction.
The Stacks now project to have seven openings, two of which are relievers, for $133 in cap space. The $19.00/opening is the second highest in the RDBL, only trailing the Lake Merced Goutfish ($20.00/opening).
The retirement of Buster Posey opened the path to a starting role for Joey Bart, but the young catcher was unable to take advantage and had a .215/.296/.364 slash line with 11 home runs and 25 RBI in 97 games. He had a 38.5 percent strikeout rate but made strides defensively and was above average behind the plate. Barring a standout performance in spring training, Bart figures to open 2023 splitting catching duties with Roberto Perez (who signed with the Giants in January) but will be given lots of rope to run with the primary role. His approach improved in the second half while also favoring his home park (.254/.336/.426 at Oracle vs. .180/.260/.309 on the road).
The move to add Bart likely spells the release or trade of Jonah Heim (2FA/$5), allowing the Falcons to fill one of their two Keepers spots with an activation. The move and subtraction of Lux will likely push two of Sonny Gray (2/$22), Max Muncy (3/$17) and Mitch Haniger (3/$11) back into the plans for 2023 though the Falcons appear far from done making moves.
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