Lux had a $1,225,000 salary last year. He is eligible for arbitration this winter and next, then can become a free agent after the 2026 World Series. The 27-year-old was a member of the Dodgers’ World Series championship teams in 2020 and ‘24.
He returned last year after missing the 2023 season with a torn right ACL sustained during a spring training game against San Diego that February and was moved from shortstop to second base in 2024 after defensive struggles early in spring training.
Looking for Gavin highlights? You're in Lux. pic.twitter.com/kFjF6nNf7H
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) January 7, 2025
Los Angeles plans to use Mookie Betts at shortstop this season. Betts started 61 games at shortstop last year but none after June 16, when he broke his left hand on a pitch from Kansas City’s Dan Altavilla. Betts returned Aug. 12 and primarily played right field. He finished with 12 starts at second base and 42 in right field.
Chris Taylor, Tommy Edman and Betts also are second base options in addition to Kim.
Lux made 117 starts at second last year and batted .251 with 10 homers and 50 RBIs. He has a .252 career average with 28 homers and 155 RBIs in five seasons, all with the Dodgers.
Second baseman Jonathan India, who made 132 starts for the Reds last year, was traded to Kansas City on Nov. 22 with outfielder Joey Wiemer for right-hander Brady Singer.
Where will Lux play for the Reds? With Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Jeimer Candelario, Noelvi Marte, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Santiago Espinal, the Reds have a glut of infielders.
“If you looked at our team last year, people argued that we had too many infielders to begin the year,” Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall told mlb.com. “Obviously, that didn’t play itself out. We were last in WAR at third base, first base and DH. We look at (Lux) as a guy that’s going to play second base, play some outfield and DH some in Spring Training. We’ll also give him a look at third and short and see where it is, see where he is defensively with all those positions. We think that he’s a quality left-handed hitter that just lengthens our lineup out.”
Sirota was a 16th-round pick of the Dodgers in the 2021 amateur draft, but he didn’t sign and played college ball at Northeastern. He was drafted by the Reds on the third round last summer with the 87th overall pick and signed for an $863,300 bonus.
Earlier Monday, the Reds acquired the contract of right-hander Owen White from the Texas Rangers for cash. To make room for Lux on the 40-man roster, reliever Roansy Contreras was designated for assignment.
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