It already appeared like Gavin Lux‘s time in Los Angeles was on skinny ice — on account of Mookie Betts‘ transfer to the infield, Hyeseong Kim being signed, and even Teoscar Hernandez returning — however now it appears that evidently ice has damaged.
The Cincinnati Reds are finalizing a deal to accumulate infielder Gavin Lux from the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources inform ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 6, 2025
Lux is on his solution to Cincinnati, the place he’ll try to interchange Jonathan India, whom the Reds despatched to the Royals for Brady Singer early within the offseason.
The 27-year-old second baseman posted a .251/.320/.383/.703 line in 2024, which is sort of equivalent to his profession line of .252/.326/.383/.709. In about three full seasons price of plate appearances, he has compiled 5.5 WAR, making him a principally common platoon second baseman. Lux does have two years of arbitration left earlier than free company, which may be the largest enhance to his worth for the Reds. Sure, he had a pleasant 2-month stretch to point out he nonetheless has some potential with the bat, however with normal inconsistencies on the plate, poor efficiency towards left-handed pitching, and a few shaky (at occasions) protection, it’s straightforward to see why the Dodgers are shifting on from him.
——
When the Dodgers signed Hyeseong Kim final week, the writing was actually on the wall for Lux, and I speculated as a lot.
“I’m nonetheless not shopping for Mookie Betts because the Dodgers’ full-time shortstop. So, I’m pondering the Dodgers are bringing Kim in with no less than the hope he might be the first shortstop — no less than, towards right-handed pitching (with Edman enjoying quick towards lefties). This could about put to mattress any of the Nolan Arenado nonsense, but additionally ought to have Gavin Lux on full alert.
Lux is unquestionably a “vibes” man — not at degree of Kiké, however nobody actually is. He got here again from the grotesque knee damage a pair years in the past and hasn’t fairly regained that offensive output he as soon as displayed (save for a 45-game stretch from July to September) and had his struggles at occasions, defensively, at second base. And that’s a little bit of an issue as a 2B-only possibility for a staff that covets versatility. Positive, he has performed shortstop and the outfield in his profession, however not effectively and never lately.”
Regardless of designating Diego Cartaya for project to make room for Kim, it appeared Lux was nonetheless a major candidate to be moved and that has come to fruition now.
——
In return the Dodgers are buying a considerably acquainted identify in Mike Sirota. Now, it might not be a brilliant acquainted identify with the non-prospectors (myself included), however the Dodgers chosen him within the sixteenth spherical of the 2021 MLB Draft out of The Frederick Gunn Faculty in Connecticut. He opted to attend Northeasten College and the Reds popped him within the third spherical of the latest draft.
Right here is a part of MLB Pipeline’s scouting report on the projectable, 21-year-old, right-handed hitting outfielder.
“Lean, athletic and powerful, Sirota has an intriguing assortment of instruments. He has plus bat velocity with glorious bat-to-ball abilities from the correct facet of the plate, although his timing was off for a lot of the spring, protecting him from squaring up the ball as persistently as he has previously. There’s uncooked energy for him to faucet into — he had 18 homers in his sophomore season — and when mixed together with his plus velocity, he has 20-20 potential on the highest degree.”
Pipeline goes onto say he’s a reliable middle subject possibility on account of his velocity and instincts. So, it’ll be good to get him into the developmental system for actual this time. He appears to be a prospect the Dodgers like, and it’s arduous to not belief their instincts at this level.
Right here’s a take a look at the information from final spring of recent #Dodgers OF prospect Mike Sirota, courtesy of @Antoni0u
Northeastern College doesn’t have the best competitors, however this can be a man who had been mocked as a 1st rounder earlier than finally falling to the third pic.twitter.com/oPHtWtMvbW
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) January 6, 2025
Sirota ranked 2nd amongst all draft-eligible hitters final yr in @643charts swing-decision metric.
Aka, are you swinging at pitches you are able to do injury on and spitting on these you may’t?
SLG backed up final yr however exit velos didn’t take a serious hit. #Dodgers https://t.co/4SzNWf98G5
— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) January 6, 2025
In addition they acquired the thirty seventh general choice within the 2025 draft. After spending a lot of cash and signing Blake Snell, nabbing a aggressive steadiness spherical A decide is a pleasant coup for the Dodgers. It turns into their highest draft decide, with their authentic decide being pushed again to No. 40 on account of payroll.
Final yr, the No. 37 decide carried a $2,511,400 worth, so it’ll most likely find yourself being barely greater than that, and the Dodgers will get so as to add that to their general pool (which can be decided later this yr).
——
It’s an unlucky actuality, however Gavin Lux actually didn’t have a long-term future in LA. Sure, the Dodgers all the time appeared to consider in him greater than most, however this can be a fairly strong return for 2 years of a participant of Lux’s caliber. Whereas I think the Nolan Arenado stuff is extra media pushed, this might open the door barely to some shenanigans on the Dodgers’ finish. Although what I actually suppose is Betts must be the first second baseman, and the staff can go together with whomever — in-house or exterior — at shortstop. However I’m only a dumb blogger. Disregard as wanted.
Thanks, No. 9. pic.twitter.com/WwARsni8FT
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 7, 2025
