The Dodgers and Reds have introduced a commerce sending Gavin Lux to Cincinnati for outfield prospect Mike Sirota and the Reds’ Aggressive Steadiness Spherical A variety. The aggressive steadiness decide — the one sort of draft alternative that may be traded — lands at thirty seventh total subsequent summer time.
L.A. common supervisor Brandon Gomes had downplayed the potential of buying and selling Lux late final week, however it appears the Dodgers intend to play free agent pickup Hyeseong Kim at second base. Lux goes into his age-27 season. The left-handed hitting infielder was a first-round decide in 2016 and had emerged as one of many prime prospects in baseball by the point he was promoted on the finish of the ’19 season. Lux has been a strong massive leaguer however not the sort of star that many evaluators had hoped.
The Dodgers didn’t give him constant massive league run till 2021. He struggled offensively that season, hitting .242/.328/.364 by means of 102 video games. His bat took a step ahead the next yr, as he hit .276/.346/.399 by means of 471 journeys to the plate. Lux seemed just like the beginning shortstop going into 2023, however he tore his proper ACL throughout Spring Coaching and wound up lacking all the season.
Lux returned from harm final yr. He was wholesome in Spring Coaching and anticipated to begin at shortstop. A sequence of throwing errors throughout exhibition play known as that into query. By the center of Spring Coaching, Los Angeles introduced that Lux would slide again to second base whereas Mookie Betts tried his hand at shortstop. Lux had began his skilled profession on the left aspect of the infield however encountered throwing accuracy points within the minors as effectively.
The beginning of the season didn’t go effectively. Lux was the weakest hyperlink within the L.A. lineup within the first half. He carried a .213/.267/.295 batting line into the All-Star Break. The Dodgers caught with him and have been rewarded with an enormous exhibiting down the stretch. Lux hit .304/.391/.508 in 61 video games through the second half. The tip outcomes have been precisely league common. Lux completed the yr with a .251/.320/.383 exhibiting in 487 plate appearances. His 24 doubles and 10 house runs have been each private highs. Lux’s postseason numbers have been unimpressive, although he did drive within the tying run within the eighth inning of what proved to be the decisive Sport 5 victory within the World Sequence.
That may go down as Lux’s closing at-bat in a Dodger uniform. He entered the offseason because the projected starter at second base. The Dodgers considerably surprisingly signed Kim, who’s coming off a .326/.383/.458 exhibiting in his closing season in South Korea, to a three-year deal final week. That solely assured $12.5MM, a modest sum that aligned with most scouting experiences that advised Kim projected as a utility participant in MLB. The Dodgers initially indicated they felt the identical means, however evidently was about not publicly telegraphing that they have been procuring Lux.
Betts is anticipated to return to shortstop after ending final season within the outfield. Kim appears just like the beginning second baseman with Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor behind them in utility roles. Tommy Edman can play the center infield however tasks because the beginning heart fielder. It could have been tough to hold every of Lux, Kim, Rojas and Taylor on the 26-man roster. The Dodgers may’ve opened a spot by designating Taylor for project, however they most popular to money Lux in for future worth. It’s a stunning determination for a group that hopes to repeat as World Sequence winners. The Dodgers apparently really feel that the downgrade from Lux to Kim gained’t be substantial.
The Reds might not have on a regular basis at-bats to supply both. USA As we speak’s Bob Nightengale suggests Lux is more likely to assume a utility function at Nice American Ball Park. Cincinnati has Elly De La Cruz at shortstop and can welcome Matt McLain again at second base. Jeimer Candelario and Christian Encarnacion-Strand, every of whom is coming off a down yr, mission because the nook infield tandem. Lux has solely began one main league recreation at third base, the place his throwing accuracy could possibly be problematic. He noticed restricted motion in left and heart discipline between 2021-22.
If Cincinnati feels Lux may deal with third base, that’d be his clearest path to taking part in time. They may additionally use Lux at second base and slide McLain to the new nook. It’s one other infield acquisition for the Reds, whose seeming surplus has grow to be a query mark over the previous 12 months. They’ve traded away Jonathan India. Candelario and Encarnacion-Strand are rebound hopefuls. Noelvi Marte missed half the season after a failed performance-enhancing drug check and didn’t play effectively when he returned. McLain is coming again after shedding all of 2024 to shoulder surgical procedure. Amongst Cincinnati’s proficient infield group, solely De La Cruz took a step ahead final season.
Lux has between 4 and 5 years of main league service. He’s below arbitration management for 2 seasons. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz tasks him for a modest $2.7MM wage. The Yankees and Mariners have been reportedly additionally in touch with the Dodgers concerning Lux. They’ll want to show elsewhere to handle their respective infields.
Sirota, 21, was Cincinnati’s third-round decide final summer time. He’s a righty-hitting outfielder who hit .298/.473/.513 in opposition to mid-major competitors throughout his draft yr at Northeastern. Baseball America’s draft report praised his velocity and potential for above-average protection in heart discipline. Sirota’s 6’3″ body presents some bodily projection, however BA writes that his bat path performs extra for low-angle contact than energy.
The Reds didn’t get Sirota into any recreation motion after the draft. He spent the ultimate two months of the season on the group’s Arizona advanced. The Dodgers’ novice scouting division has had its eye on him for some time, although. Los Angeles drafted him within the sixteenth spherical out of highschool in 2021. It was clear by that time that Sirota — whom BA had ranked among the many prime 200 prospects in that yr’s class — was seemingly headed to Northeastern, however groups often take late-round fliers on proficient excessive schoolers in case a cope with the next draftee falls by means of and leaves sudden area within the group’s bonus pool.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the Reds have been finalizing a deal for Lux. Fabian Ardaya of the Athletic confirmed a Lux commerce was in place. KPRC 2’s Ari Alexander was first with Sirota and the Aggressive Steadiness decide heading again to Los Angeles. Picture courtesy of Imagn.
