Gavin Lux is on his way to Cincinnati.
The Reds reached a deal on Monday to trade for the former Los Angeles Dodgers infielder, the teams announced. In return, the Dodgers will receive future draft pick and outfield prospect Mike Sirota.
“He’s a guy who has an opportunity to come in and get into our lineup and stretch that lineup,” Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said, via ESPN. “Only if we can add a left-handed hitter who hits well against right-handed pitching.”
The Dodgers were reportedly looking for a trade partner for Lux, who attracted interest from both the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees in recent weeks. The Dodgers signed Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim to a three-year deal earlier this month, and Kim could easily slide in and take Lux’s spot in the lineup. Mookie Betts is also expected to move to the infield next season, and the team signed Tommy Edman to an extension in November. That gave the Dodgers a lot of options, so a Lux move seemed inevitable.
Lux had a .251 batting average with 10 home runs and 50 RBI last season with the Dodgers, both career highs. He spent all six of his MLB seasons with the franchise and won a pair of World Series. Lux had a hit and an RBI in October in the team’s 4-1 victory over the Yankees, giving the club its eighth World Series title. He missed the 2023 campaign while recovering from a torn ACL.
The 27-year-old will earn more than $2.7 million next season. He will enter free agency after the 2026 campaign.
The Reds went 77-85 last season and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season. The team fired manager David Bell in September and has since hired Terry Francona to replace him. Lux will join star Elly De La Cruz in Cincinnati’s infield. The Reds also traded second baseman Jonathan India earlier this season so Lux could take over at second, where he spent most of last season with the Dodgers. The Reds will likely move Lux to see where he fits best. Matt McClain is also expected to be available at second base after missing last season with a shoulder injury
The pair will look to lead the Reds not only to the playoffs for the first time in half a decade, but also to a postseason series victory – something the franchise hasn’t seen since 1995.
