"Dodgers signed Tommy Edman at $70,000,000, Mookie Betts is coming to SS" - Ex-Yankees coach explains rationale behind trading Gavin Lux to Reds

The Los Angeles Dodgers traded away infielder Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds earlier this week in exchange for outfield prospect Mike Sirota and a Competitive Balance (37th overall) round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. The Dodgers had also acquired second baseman Hyeseong Kim on a three-year, $12.5 million deal from the international free agent market earlier in the week.

Former New York Yankees hitting coach Sean Casey feels it was a sensible move from the Los Angeles Dodgers to ship out Gavin Lux as they are planning to line up with Mookie Betts at shortstop next season. Moreover, they had already signed utility man Tommy Edman to a five-year, $74 million deal before adding Hyeseong Kim to the team, so they had too many infielders on their roster than they required.

Sean Casey served as the hitting coach for the New York Yankees in 2023. Presently, he works as an analyst and is the co-host of The Mayor's Office podcast. He shared his perspective on the Gavin Lux trade during the show on Tuesday.

"They signed Tommy Edman to that five-year deal for $70-something million," he said. "Mookie Betts is coming back to shortstop. The way things are going, they have too many infielders. So, it made sense for them to move Lux" (starting at 10:30).

Lux was the first-round pick for the Dodgers in the 2016 MLB Draft and had an up-and-down six-year spell with the team. He had a solid 2022 campaign but missed the following season due to an ACL issue.

"He's a guy that's going to be what Gavin Lux was": Sean Casey on Hyeseong Kim

The Dodgers signed infielder Hyeseong Kim to a three-year, $12.5 million contract (Image Source: Getty)

Following his return from the lengthy period on the sidelines, Gavin Lux posted a reasonably good campaign in 2024. He batted .251/.320/.383 with 10 home runs, 50 RBIs, and an OPS+ of 101 during the regular season. However, his subpar defence meant that he was the least valuable middle infielder on the Los Angeles Dodgers roster.

Sean Casey believes the arrival of Hyeseong Kim from the KBO League in South Korea will be an upgrade on Gavin Lux in the Dodgers infield options.

"They love him; one of the best guys in the KBO in the last few years," Casey said. "He's a guy that's going to be what Lux was. He's going to bounce all over the place, be a super utility guy. Maybe a defensive replacement. It'll be interesting to see."

Despite his mediocre production, Lux clinched two World Series titles with the Dodgers.