For the first time in his career, Gavin Lux donned a uniform that isn’t Dodger blue, as he spent his first season with the Cincinnati Reds. Throughout the season, Lux received perhaps a bigger role than he expected. He was consistently in the heart of the order, oftentimes hitting cleanup behind Elly De La Cruz. However, with this new opportunity came unprecedented struggles as he had the worst season of his career. This has resulted in the question of what role, if any, he should take on in the 2026 season for the Reds.
Gavin Lux’s Poor Fit with the Reds
For a team like the Reds, who struggle with power, adding Lux to the lineup was not going to improve that aspect of the game. His career high in home runs came in his final season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he hit 10 in 139 games. This was coming off the heels of a 2023 season where he spent the entire year recovering from an ACL tear. With his previous career high being seven in 2021, it looked like perhaps the 27-year-old has found his power stroke a bit and can become a 10-15 home runs per year player.
After his trade to the Reds, who play in the hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, there were rumblings of a potential power boost. However, Lux ended the 2025 season hitting just five long balls in 140 games. He received more playing time than ever (career high 503 PA), but hit the fewest home runs in a full season in his career.
It is looking like he has fully taken on the contact and plate discipline approach, which he was solid at, but it is not what the Reds need in their lineup right now. At least not at the heart of the order. Had Lux been a bottom-of-the-order platoon player, his numbers would have looked better in perspective.
A guy who gets on base at a .350 clip with average defense is a very solid bottom of the order or bench piece, but not an everyday cleanup hitter. With Santiago Espinal now off the team and the utility bench spot open, Lux can slot into that position for the team if they decide not to look elsewhere for a utility man.
Gavin Lux had a year of contact rather than power in his first year in a Cincinnati uniform. In 140 games Lux put up:
.269 BA
What were your thoughts on Gavin Lux? pic.twitter.com/wHvjGAqs47
— SleeperReds (@SleeperReds) October 12, 2025
Defensive Struggles
Lux originally came up as a middle infielder who predominantly manned second base, but he has since evolved into a bit of a utility guy. In 2025, Lux played 54 games in left field, 17 at second base, and six at third base. Due to roster construction, he had to play in the outfield for the majority of the time. Outfield was by far his worst position, as he had -5 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) in those 54 games.
This is another point of contention on why he is such a bad fit for the Reds. Why trade for a player and put him at his worst position since there is already an abundance of middle infielders on the team?
He had -4 DRS at second base and 0 DRS at third base, which makes him a below-average defender overall in the infield, but still better than he was in left field.
This, on top of his below-average offense (97 OPS+), resulted in a -0.2 bWAR in 2025. He was below replacement level all season, yet the Reds were banking on him coming through time and time again, so much so that they even had him as a DH in 59 games.
Lux’s Role in 2026
Lux will be under team control for two more seasons before he becomes a free agent in the 2027 offseason. He will be making $4.5 million in 2026, which is a very fair amount for the production he brings.
It is worth noting that, despite Lux’s negative WAR in 2025, it is essentially all a usage problem. Had the Reds played him at his natural position, his value would not have taken such a hit.
Lux was a 2.1 bWAR player in 2024 with the Dodgers despite near identical offensive production (99 OPS+) in the same number of games. His role in 2026 should undoubtedly be reduced, but that is not to say he is not a valuable player. His on-base ability can be vital at the bottom of the lineup to turn things over to the top, and his infield versatility can also come in handy when guys need off days throughout the season.
Hope is not lost with Gavin Lux, but the organization has to play to his strengths. Otherwise, they may see another season where they overplay and overvalue him, which ends up being counterproductive for all parties involved.
Main Photo Credit: © Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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