Lux moves to a crowded Reds infield

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Cincinnati Reds
NEWS: Cincinnati acquired 2B Gavin Lux for minor league OF Mike Sirota and a 2024 Competitive Balance Round A pick.
IMPACT: Medium 
BHQ SPIN: The interest surrounding Lux was building as soon as LA signed Hyeseong Kim in late December, and now Lux finds himself in a similar situation with the Reds. Cincinnati has a lot of multi-positional players; when the club shipped 2B Jonathan India to the Royals, the thought was they were clearing Matt McLain’s path to the keystone. However, McLain has been taking OF reps (including playing there in some Arizona Fall League games), and Lux has experience playing both infield and outfield roles as well, much like current Red Spencer Steer. If Lux were to move to 3B, that would considerably ramp up the infield competition, as 3B Noelvi Marte, 1B/3B Jeimer Candelario, and 1B Christian Encarnacion-Strand would be competing for two spots. A long winded way of saying there are a lot of moving parts in here, and we’ll likely be waiting until spring to see how this shakes out. 
–Larson

Los Angeles Dodgers
NEWS: The Dodgers signed twenty-five year old 2B Hyeseong Kim to a 3-year, $12.5 million contract, and then traded 2B Gavin Lux to the Reds for minor league OF Mike Sirota and a competitive balance pick.
IMPACT: High
BHQ SPIN: Kim, who spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO, is the latest addition to the World Series champion Dodgers roster. Kim is a career .304/.364/.403 hitter with 37 HR and 211 SB in 3819 PA. As a four-time winner of a KBO Golden Glove Award, Kim is known for his elite defense as well as his offense. He has played primarily 2B, but has also spent time at SS, 3B and LF.  The Dodgers initially indicated Kim would serve in a super utility role, but it now looks like he will be slotted into the lineup as the everyday 2B with the trade of Gavin Lux to the Reds, along with the team’s statement of commitment to Mookie Betts at SS. The Dodgers also have IF/OF Chris Taylor, SS Miguel Rojas and IF/OF Tommy Edman available to play middle infield, so Lux became an expendable roster piece. 

C Diego Cartaya was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Kim. The 23-year-old former top prospect hit just 221/.323/.363 in 400 PA split between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2024. Cartaya will likely draw interest from other teams while on waivers. Twenty-one-year-old Sirota, the return in the Lux trade, was a third-round pick for the Reds in the 2024 first year player draft. He will now start his professional career in the Dodgers minor league system.
–Gannon

 

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Baltimore Orioles
NEWS: Baltimore signed RHP Charlie Morton to a 1-year, $15 million contract. 
IMPACT: High
BHQ SPIN: Baltimore added to its rotation depth with the addition of the 41-year-old Morton, who is coming off of a solid season (4.19 ERA, 3.77 xERA) in 2024. Morton likely slots in as Baltimore’s #3 starter behind Zach Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez, with Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano seen as heavy favorites for the #4 and #5 slots. Baltimore’s other rotation depth also includes Trevor Rogers, Cade Povich, Albert Suárez, Chayce McDermott, and Brandon Young, all recently covered in detail in the most recent AL East PT Tomorrow. These pitchers are all less likely to be part of Baltimore’s rotation given the addition of Morton; however, given Baltimore’s past rotation usage patterns and durability concerns with several of its starters, a six-man rotation is possible, at least for parts of the 2025 season.
–Williams

Kansas City Royals
NEWS: Kansas City agreed to terms with RHP Michael Lorenzen on a one-year contract worth a guaranteed $7 million with a mutual option for 2026.
IMPACT: Medium
BHQ SPIN: The veteran swingman Lorenzen will return to Kansas City for the 2025 season. While Lorenzen could pitch out of the bullpen, he is also expected to be part of a rotation competition for one of either two or three open spots (depending on if Kansas City opts to utilize a six-man rotation). Other pitchers expected to be part of the rotation competition include Kris Bubic, Kyle Wright, Alec Marsh, and Daniel Lynch. 
–Williams

Texas Rangers
NEWS: Texas signed RHP Chris Martin to a one-year deal, designating RHP Matt Festa for assignment to make room.
IMPACT: Low 
BHQ SPIN: The Rangers continue to build their bullpen from the bottom up, as Arlington native Martin is expected to resume the high-leverage setup role he’s filled very well now for six consecutive seasons. Martin’s only issue is durability, as he’s spent time on the IL in four of the last five years. But when he’s on the mound, Martin’s skills remain elite. It now appears there’s just one piece remaining to be added to the TEX ‘pen—the closer.
–Truesdell

Chicago White Sox
NEWS: Chicago acquired LHP Tyler Gilbert from Philadelphia for RHP Aaron Combs.
IMPACT: Low 
BHQ SPIN: The 31-year-old Gilbert will be in the running for a rotation spot with the White Sox.  Jonathan Cannon, Bryse Wilson and Drew Thorpe all appear to be good picks at this point to make the top three spots, leaving two open for Gilbert and a group led by Jake Eder, Ky Bush, Davis Martin, Sean Burke and Nick Nastrini. Gilbert’s MLB experience spans four seasons. He has a career 4.23 ERA with 68 K / 30 BB over 100 IP. 
–Green

 

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