Gavin Lux is headed to Cincinnati.
The Reds have reached a deal to trade the former Los Angeles Dodgers infielder, the team announced Monday. In return, the Dodgers will receive a future draft pick and outfield prospect Mike Sirota.
“He’s a player that has an opportunity to come into our lineup and grow that lineup,” Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said via ESPN. “We just need to add a strong left-handed hitter to our right-handed pitcher.”
The Dodgers are reportedly working to find a trade partner for Lux, who has received interest from both the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees in recent weeks. The Dodgers signed Korean infielder Kim Hye-sung to a three-year contract earlier this month, so Kim could easily slide in and take Lux’s spot in the batting lineup. Mookie Betts is also expected to move to the infield next season, and the team signed Tommy Edman to an extension in November. This left the Dodgers with so many options that moving on from Lux seemed inevitable.
Lux hit .251 with the Dodgers last season, hitting career highs with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs. He spent all six MLB seasons with the franchise, winning two World Series. Lux had a hit and an RBI in the team’s 4-1 win over the Yankees in October, giving the club its eighth World Series title. He missed the 2023 season while recovering from a torn ACL.
The 27-year-old is scheduled to make more than $2.7 million next season. He is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2026 campaign.
The Reds went 77-85 last season, missing the playoffs for the fourth straight season. The team fired manager David Bell in September and replaced him with Terry Francona. Lux will join star Elie Delacruz as Cincinnati’s infielder. The Reds also traded second baseman Jonathan India earlier this offseason, so Lux could be the starting second baseman, and he spent most of last season with the Dodgers. The Reds will likely move Lux around to see where he fits best. Matt McClain, who missed last season with a shoulder injury, is also expected to be available as a second baseman.
The duo will aim to lead the Reds not only to the playoffs for the first time in five years, but also to win a postseason series, something the team hasn’t seen since 1995.
