Nobody’s talking about it, but these underrated offseason additions are carrying the Reds

The Cincinnati Reds had a relatively quiet offseason. Sure, the front office committed $21.05 million to keep Nick Martinez and swung a trade for Brady Singer, but many Reds fans were upset that Cincinnati failed to get that power-hitting outfielder they're always clamoring for. Instead, Cincy settled for Austin Hays—who's been playing well since he was activated from the injured list.

But two of the Reds most underrated offseason acquisitions have been helping to keep the team afloat during a difficult stretch at the outset of the season. Both Jose Trevino and Gavin Lux have been key components through the first three weeks of the 2025 campaign, especially with so many early-season injuries.

Neither Trevino nor Lux were expected to be impact players in 2025, but with Tyler Stephenson on the IL to begin the year, injuries to Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and the restrictions placed on Spencer Steer, both offseason acquisitions have been invaluable.

Jose Trevino and Gavin Lux have helped carry the Reds at the beginning of the 2025 season

Heading into Friday's series opener against the Baltimore Orioles, Lux and Trevino are sitting atop the stat sheet in batting average, with both hitting above .285 on the season. Lux leads all active Reds players with a .371 on-base percentage, and Trevino has a respectable .342 OBP as well. And Lux is putting up these numbers despite being in the lineup with regularity against left-handed pitching—something he's struggled with throughout his career.

Lux has played all over the diamond to open the year. Steer's shoulder injury has limited him to acting solely as the Reds designated hitter, meaning Cincinnati lost their most versatile fielder. But Lux stepped up and has played second and third base this season in addition to left field—a position he'd only played a handful of times before this season.

Trevino, who was brought in to be the backup to Stephenson, has now started 12 of the Reds first 17 games and is helping to manage one of the best pitching staffs in Major League Baseball. Trevino has also done a great job in the batters' box. He puts the ball in play with regularity and rarely strikes out.

Lux and Trevino cannot continue to be relied upon this heavily if the Reds are hoping to make some noise in the NL Central this season. But these two offseason pickups have more than held their own through the first few weeks and provided the Reds with a chance to remain competitive while others have been slow out of the gate.

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