The Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers struck a deal on Monday, with the Reds acquiring longtime Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux in exchange for outfield prospect Mike Sirota and a Competitive Balance draft pick. The Dodgers had been actively looking to trade Lux since signing Korean infielder Kim Hye-seong last week, while the Reds had been seeking a replacement for second baseman Jonathan India.
Although the San Diego Padres typically don’t concern themselves with the moves of their NL West rivals, they took note of the return the Dodgers received from Cincinnati in exchange for Lux. Why? Because it provides Padres’ President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller with insight into the kind of return San Diego might expect if they follow through on trading infielder Luis Arráez.
Arráez, despite winning the batting title for three consecutive seasons, could soon play for his fourth team in as many years. The Padres acquired him from the Miami Marlins last spring, but despite a solid first year in San Diego, his name has surfaced in trade rumors. With the team facing financial constraints, paying an estimated $15 million for Arráez in the upcoming season would not ease their budget issues.
The Dodgers received outfielder Mike Sirota, a former third-round pick they had drafted in 2021 but failed to sign. After three years at Northeastern, he was selected again in last year’s draft with the 87th overall pick. Additionally, the Dodgers got what essentially amounts to the No. 37 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, which was valued at around $2.5 million last year.
There are key differences between Arráez’s value and what the Dodgers got for Lux. For one, Arráez is set to be a free agent after next season, while Lux has two years left on his contract. While neither player is a standout defender, Arráez’s defensive metrics are among the worst in the league. However, both players are the same age, and Arráez has the edge in terms of accolades, with three All-Star appearances, two Silver Sluggers, and three batting titles.
Considering all of this, the return the Dodgers received for Lux is likely a realistic expectation for the Padres if they decide to trade Arráez. While the salary differences are notable, the Padres could likely secure a similar package for the 27-year-old if they are serious about moving him this offseason.
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