The New York Yankees, seeking to solidify their infield after losing Juan Soto to the Mets, are reportedly exploring trade options, with Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux emerging as a potential target. The Yankees face decisions on how to align their infield, particularly after Gleyber Torres’ move to the Detroit Tigers on a one-year, $15 million deal.
Yankees exploring trade interest in Dodgers’ Gavin Lux
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is expected to return to second base, his natural position, leaving third base as a key area to address. While free agent Alex Bregman remains on the market, reports suggest the Yankees are not currently pursuing him. Internal options like DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Oswald Peraza carry risks, prompting consideration of external solutions.
Lux: A trade option with potential
According to SL.com, the Yankees have shown interest in Lux, though this occurred weeks ago, and the Seattle Mariners appear to be pursuing him more aggressively. A trade between the Yankees and Dodgers—who just faced off in the 2024 World Series, with Los Angeles winning in five games—might seem unlikely. However, the two franchises have partnered on trades in recent years, including Joey Gallo for Clayton Beeter in 2022 and Victor Gonzalez and Jorbit Vivas for Trey Sweeney last offseason.
Lux, 27, offers two years of team control before becoming a free agent in 2026. The Dodgers’ recent signing of Hyeseong Kim, a versatile infielder from the KBO, could make Lux expendable. For his career, Lux has posted a .252/.326/.383 slash line with a .709 OPS, 28 home runs, and 155 RBIs across 412 games. Despite missing all of 2023 due to a torn ACL, Lux returned in 2024 to hit .251/.320/.383 with a .703 OPS, 10 homers, and 50 RBIs in 139 games.
Strengths and weaknesses
Lux’s left-handed bat could bring balance to the Yankees’ lineup. However, his defensive struggles (-2 Outs Above Average at second base in 2024) and poor career performance against left-handed pitchers (.202 average, .552 OPS) might necessitate a platoon role. Additionally, his offensive production has yet to meet the expectations set when he was drafted in the first round in 2016.
Acquiring Lux would represent a low-risk move for the Yankees, who could hope to unlock his potential with a change of scenery. The Mariners, needing infield depth, might also be a strong contender for Lux, given his affordable contract. While the Yankees could choose to rely on internal options, trading for Lux offers an opportunity to address their infield needs and add depth to their roster.
Despite the history between the Yankees and Dodgers, including their World Series clash, a trade is not out of the question. Lux’s potential as a left-handed hitter and low-cost addition could make him a valuable asset for the Yankees as they prepare for the 2025 season.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Lux does offer some upside as a left handed bat who could serve as a leadoff option for us, and he is affordable with a couple of years of team control. But his offense really isn’t much above average and likely doesn’t raise the ceiling much over the internal options we already have. Same for his defense, which is average at best. Plus, I’m not sure the Dodgers want to part with him. Yes, they signed Kim who is thought to be a better defender, but coming from the KBO the Dodgers have no assurance he’ll hit at the MLB level. And even if LA makes Lux available, other teams will be interested, i.e. Seattle, as mentioned in the article, and they might have more to offer in terms of prospects than the Yankees are willing to part with. Lastly, I get the impression from all I’ve read that the Yankees, by trading Durbin and letting Torres walk, are intent on moving Chisholm to 2B and finding a way to plug the hole at 3B, which Lux wouldn’t readily fill. Yes, Lux may have some upside overall, but he’s probably not the right fit for us.