LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers traded second baseman Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, just days after signing infielder Hyeseong Kim to a three-year, $12.5 million contract.
In return, Los Angeles acquired minor league outfielder Mike Sirota, the grand-nephew of Hall of Fame pitcher Whitey Ford, along with a competitive balance round A pick in the upcoming July amateur draft, currently slated at No. 37 overall.
Lux earned a $1,225,000 salary last season and is eligible for arbitration this winter and next. He will become a free agent following the 2026 World Series. The 27-year-old was part of the Dodgers’ World Series championship teams in 2020 and 2024.
“He’s a player who has the potential to step into our lineup and add depth to it,” said Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall. “It’s great to bring in a left-handed hitter who performs well against right-handed pitching.”
Lux made his return last year after missing the entire 2023 season due to a torn right ACL, which he suffered during a spring training game against San Diego in February. In 2024, he was shifted from shortstop to second base following 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 didn’t play there after June 16, when he fractured his left hand on a pitch from Kansas City’s Dan Altavilla. Betts returned on August 12 and mostly played right field, finishing the season with 12 starts at second base and 42 in right field.
In addition to Hyeseong Kim, the Dodgers also have Chris Taylor, Tommy Edman, and Mookie Betts as options for second base.
Lux made 117 starts at second base last year, batting .251 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs. Over his five-season career, all with the Dodgers, he has a .252 batting average, 28 home runs, and 155 RBIs.
Krall mentioned that Lux could play second base, third base, shortstop, outfield, and designated hitter for the Reds. Second baseman Matt McLain is also expected to return for Cincinnati after missing last season due to shoulder surgery.
Second baseman Jonathan India, who made 132 starts for the Reds last year, was traded to Kansas City on November 22, along with outfielder Joey Wiemer, in exchange for right-hander Brady Singer.
Sirota was selected by the Dodgers in the 16th round of the 2021 amateur draft, but he chose not to sign and instead played college baseball at Northeastern. Last summer, he was drafted by the Reds in the third round with the 87th overall pick and signed for an $863,300 bonus.
To make room for Lux on the roster, right-hander Roansy Contreras was designated for assignment. Contreras had been claimed off waivers by Cincinnati from Texas on December 19.
Earlier in the day, the Reds acquired right-hander Owen White from the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash.
