Justin Verlander's brother Ben shares his feelings on Reds acquiring Gavin Lux from Dodgers: "Still confuses me"

Gavin Lux was traded to the Cincinnati Reds on Monday. It's the second major trade the Reds have pulled off involving a second baseman this offseason, but it has MLB analyst Ben Verlander befuddled.

"I like the Reds," Verlander tweeted. "I've been higher on the Reds than anyone last year and this coming year. I like Gavin Lux. He had a fantastic 2nd half last year. This trade still confuses me."

Ben Verlander, the brother of the veteran MLB pitcher Justin Verlander, doesn't see the fit, especially since the Reds just moved on from Jonathan India. The second base position was now Matt McLain's following a strong rookie season in 2023.

With India, a pending free agent gone, McLain appeared to have the job locked. Now, with Lux in town from the Los Angeles Dodgers, things get a little more muddied at the position. Lux can also play shortstop, but the Reds aren't going to move Elly De La Cruz off the spot.

The trade for Lux also limits the infield options for other teams. The New York Yankees were interested in Lux for second base, and now they and other interested parties will have to pivot.

---

Reds exec hails Gavin Lux trade

Despite some confusion on the part of one MLB analyst, the Reds like this trade. Their president of baseball operations was happy to announce the deal and speak at length about what Lux brings to the table.

Gavin Lux is now with the Reds (Imagn)

Nick Krall said via ESPN:

"He's a guy who has a chance to come in and be in our lineup and lengthen that lineup out. Just us being able to add a left-handed hitter that hits well against right-handed pitching."

The Reds do have a plethora of players at every possible position for Lux to play aside from De La Cruz and McLain: third baseman Noelvi Marte, corner infielder Jeimer Candelario, utility man Santiago Espinal, and first basemen Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

Gavin Lux did play some outfield last year, so perhaps that's where he'll end up playing with Cincinnati.