Why Dodgers won Gavin Lux trade with Reds

When the Dodgers swooped in to signal Hyeseong Kim a couple of days in the past, the writing appeared to be on the wall for Lux, who missed all of 2023 with a knee harm however got here again to slash .251/.320/.383 with 10 house runs and 50 RBI to assist the Dodgers declare the Fall Basic. 

Whereas Lux was key final season, the signing of Kim from the KBO additionally made him replaceable this season. Throughout his eight seasons in Korea, Kim has seen motion at second base in 657 video games, simply probably the most of any place whereas being a risk on the plate and on the bases.

The signing of Kim (plus having Chris Taylor, who may also play second base, on the roster) helped pave the best way for the Dodgers to stay up for the longer term by buying a excessive draft choose subsequent yr in addition to Mike Sirota, a participant the Dodgers drafted out of highschool however have been unable to signal. 

Ranked because the Fiftieth-best prospect in the entire minors, the 21-year-old Sirota nonetheless wants loads of improvement. Nevertheless, he is thought of a strong center-field prospect, and Los Angeles has the luxurious of letting Sirota develop whereas it continues with its present crop of All-Stars and heavy hitters in 2025 and past.

Dealing from a wealth of expertise on their roster, sending Lux to the Reds is sensible. What won’t make sense in the mean time, nonetheless, is the place Lux matches right into a Cincinnati lineup that already has Matt McLain penciled in at second base. In 2023, McLain slashed .290/.357/.507 in 403 plate appearances earlier than lacking the 2024 season after shoulder surgical procedure.

With that, the very best match for Lux could also be at third base, however that is a place he has solely performed in a single recreation with the Dodgers. USA At this time MLB insider Bob Nightengale reported that the Reds need to use him as a “tremendous utility” participant, which means Lux could roam all through the lineup till Cincinnati can discover a spot for him to turn into an on a regular basis participant.

That, nonetheless, nonetheless is not assured, which means this might be one other query for the Reds heading into spring coaching.

The Dodgers rapidly discovered their substitute for Lux, whereas the Reds now have to determine the place he matches into the puzzle. Add to {that a} piece the Dodgers imagine in for the longer term, plus a draft choose, and it is simple to see why Los Angeles received this commerce.