LOS ANGELES — Second baseman Gavin Lux was traded from the Dodgers to the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, three days after Los Angeles agreed to a three-year, $12.5 million contract with infielder Hyeseong Kim.
Los Angeles received minor league outfielder Mike Sirota, a great-nephew of Hall of Fame pitcher Whitey Ford, and a pick in the competitive A round of the amateur draft in July, currently 37th overall.
Lux had a salary of $1,225,000 last year. He is eligible for arbitration this winter and next winter, 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’s a guy who has a chance to come and be a part of our roster and extend this roster,” Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. “We can just add a left-handed hitter who hits well against right-handed pitchers.”
Lux returned last year after missing the 2023 season with a torn right ACL suffered in a spring training game against San Diego in February. He was moved from shortstop to second base in 2024 after defensive struggles early in spring training.
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 on August 12 and played primarily right field. He finished with 12 starts at second base and 42 in right field.
Chris Taylor, Tommy Edman and Betts are also second base options in addition to Kim.
Lux made 117 starts at second last year and hit .251 with 10 homers and 50 RBIs. He has a career average of .252 with 28 home runs and 155 RBIs in five seasons, all with the Dodgers.
Krall said Lux could see time at second base, third base, shortstop, outfield and designated hitter. Second baseman Matt McLain is expected to return to Cincinnati after missing last season following shoulder surgery.
Second baseman Jonathan India, who made 132 starts for the Reds last year, was traded to Kansas City on Nov. 22 along with outfielder Joey Wiemer for right-hander Brady Singer.
Sirota was a 16th round pick of the Dodgers in the 2021 amateur draft, but he went unsigned and played college ball at Northeastern. He was drafted by the Reds in the third round last summer with the 87th overall pick and signed for an $863,300 bonus.
To open a roster spot for Lux, right-hander Roansy Contreras was designated for assignment. Cincinnati claimed Contreras off waivers from Texas on December 19.
Earlier today, the Reds acquired right-hander Owen White from the Texas Rangers for cash.
