Gavin Lux unintentionally shines light on the Reds biggest roster dilemma

Earlier this month, the Cincinnati Reds dealt Gavin Lux to the Tampa Bay Rays as part of a three-team trade. The Rays plan to deploy Lux at second base in 2026, something the former first-round pick is looking forward. Lux recently spoke with Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (subscription required), and his comments should serve as a warning shot to the Reds front office.

“Obviously, I’ll play wherever anyone needs me to, but I love playing the infield," Lux said. "I love being able to go every day knowing all my focus can be put into playing second base and playing on the dirt, and getting my routine down that way.”

Lux was a first-round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2016 and came up through their system as a shortstop. But he proved wildly incapable of fielding the position in 2021 and was moved to second base in 2022 (with several games in left field sprinkled in). He missed all of the 2023 season due to injury and returned to second base in 2024.

Gavin Lux may've just helped the Reds make a crucial offseason decision

When the Reds traded for Lux, they were clear about their intentions to play him all over the field. A below-average defender, Lux spent most of the 2025 season as the Reds designated hitter, but also played over 50 games in left field. Lux was worth -5 defensive runs saved (DRS) and -6 outs above average (OAA) in left last season.

While all players are different, Lux's struggles while being shuttled between the infield dirt and outfield grass are nothing new. Few players are able to find success with such extremes shifts from day to day. Lux's shortcomings could provide the Reds with some guidance for how they plan to use Spencer Steer in 2026, and may affect how they wrap up their offseason roster construction.

Most Reds fans assume Nick Krall and the front office have another roster move up their sleeve before heading out to Goodyear. Cincinnati needs at least one more bat, and barring a trade, most folks throughout Reds Country are circling Eugenio Suárez and Austin Hays. Either free agent would bring some pop to the lineup, but adding Suárez would likely shake up the Reds' infield alignment.

Should the Reds re-sign Austin Hays or reunite with Eugenio Suarez?

If the Reds reunite with Geno, it'll cause a logjam at the infield corners with the quartet of Steer, Suárez, Sal Stewart, and Ke'Bryan Hayes. That would likely push Steer to the outfield. Much like Lux last season, Steer has shown that he can play on the outfield grass, but his career -7 DRS and -8 OAA suggest he doesn't play it very well. Conversely, Steer is a Gold Glove-caliber defender at first base.

If the Reds re-sign Hays and forgo a reunion with Suárez, Steer, Stewart, and Hayes could share time at first and third base — giving them their best defensive alignment. Hays could then split time in left field with JJ Bleday and/ or Will Benson.

The Reds are already gambling with their outfield defense by pushing Noelvi Marte into right field. Do they really want to compound the issue by taking one of their best infield defenders (Steer) and pushing him to the outfield? That's the question Krall and Co. have to answer, but with all things being equal, re-signing Hays instead of Suárez might be the most prudent move.