LOS ANGELES — On Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers finalized a trade that sends second baseman Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds. This move comes just days after the Dodgers secured a three-year, $12.5 million deal with infielder Hyeseong Kim.
In exchange for Lux, the Dodgers will obtain minor league outfielder Mike Sirota, who is related to Hall of Fame pitcher Whitey Ford, and a competitive balance pick in this year’s amateur draft, currently slotted at No. 37 overall.
Last season, Lux earned a salary of $1,225,000. He is set for arbitration this winter and next, with the potential to enter free agency following the 2026 World Series. At 27 years old, Lux has been part of the Dodgers’ championship rosters during both their 2020 and 2024 World Series victories.
Cincinnati’s president of baseball operations, Nick Krall, expressed enthusiasm about Lux’s addition, indicating that he has the potential to enhance their batting lineup by providing a left-handed bat that performs well against right-handed pitchers.
Lux made a comeback last season after missing the entirety of 2023 due to a torn right ACL he suffered during a spring training game against San Diego. He transitioned from shortstop to second base in 2024 after facing difficulties defensively during spring training.
The Dodgers are expected to utilize Mookie Betts at shortstop this upcoming season. Betts played 61 games at the position last year but was sidelined after suffering a hand injury in June and returned in August playing primarily in right field, alongside a handful of starts at second base.
Other second base candidates for the Dodgers include Chris Taylor, Tommy Edman, and Betts, on top of Kim.
Last season, Lux logged 117 starts at second base, achieving a batting average of .251 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs. Overall, in five seasons with the Dodgers, he boasts a .252 average, 28 home runs, and 155 RBIs.
Krall mentioned that Lux could fill multiple roles on the team, including second base, third base, shortstop, outfield, and designated hitter. The Reds anticipate that second baseman Matt McLain will return after recovering from shoulder surgery that kept him off the field last season.
Jonathan India, who started 132 games for Cincinnati last year, was traded to Kansas City on November 22, along with outfielder Joey Wiemer, in exchange for right-hander Brady Singer.
Sirota, drafted in the 16th round by the Dodgers in 2021 but opting not to sign, later played at Northeastern. He was picked by the Reds in the third round of the previous summer’s draft, signed for a bonus of $863,300.
To accommodate Lux on their roster, the Reds designated right-hander Roansy Contreras for assignment. Cincinnati had previously claimed Contreras off waivers from Texas on December 19. Additionally, the Reds made headlines earlier in the day by acquiring right-hander Owen White from the Texas Rangers for cash.
