Monday, January 6, 2025
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2025
On Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds for a competitive draft pick and an outfielder Mike Sirota.
When the Dodgers signed Hye-Seong Kim last Friday, one of the Dodgers’ middle infielders was probably going. Lux was the one who didn’t fit. At 27, Lux had no versatility. He was a high draft pick in 2016.
The Dodgers envisioned Lux as a future shortstop, but it never panned out. Yes, he did a satisfactory job filling in for injured Corey Seager in 2021. When he injured his knee and missed the 2023 season, he was slated to be a Dodger shortstop. In 2024, he proved he didn’t have the necessary arm to play shortstop.
Lux was a satisfactory offensive player during the 2024 season. Before the All-Star break, Lux couldn’t hit well. If the Dodgers didn’t have many injuries, they might have sent Lux down. He was super after the All-Star break. He was an average player on a world champion team.
With Lux out, the Dodgers can move Mookie Betts to second base, and Kim can be a shortstop. Though Betts has worked out at shortstop during this offseason, he, 32, is going to have a difficult time adjusting to shortstop. He is a good second baseman, and second base is an easier position on the body.
The Dodgers aren’t through this offseason. Gavin Lux was a good Dodger but didn’t live up to his potential. The Dodgers might trade for Nolan Arenado from the Saint Louis Cardinals and move Max Muncy to second base.
