Reds avoid arbitration with key offseason trade acquisitions

The Cincinnati Reds have avoided arbitration with their two biggest offseason additions. Both Brady Singer and Gavin Lux agreed to one-year deals ahead of Thursday's arbitration deadline. Singer inked a one-year, $8.75 million deal, while Lux signed a one-year, $3.325 million pact.

Singer joined the Reds shortly after the 2024-25 offseason began. Cincinnati shipped infielder Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Singer. Lux was traded to Cincinnati earlier this week in a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds sent outfield prospect Mike Sirota and a draft pick to LA and received the 26-year-old infielder in return.

Reds avoid arbitration with Brady Singer and Gavin Lux

Both Singer and Lux are expected to be key contributors on the Reds next season. Singer is likely to occupy a spot in the backend of the Reds starting rotation, and the versatile Lux is slated to see playing time all over the diamond.

After Cincinnati pulled off the trade with Los Angeles earlier this week, many Reds fans joked about the similarities between Lux and India. While there's certainly some similar traits that both players share, Lux is a left-handed hitter with much more versatility. His arbitration number also comes in about $2 million cheaper than the $5.5 million India will take home next season.

As for Singer, most Reds fans expect the right-hander to bring some durability to a rotation that has seen its fair share of injuries last season. Singer has logged four straight seasons of at least 27 appearances, while Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Graham Ashcraft all missed time in 2024. Cincinnati will also be without Julian Aguiar and Brandon Williamson next season as both starters recover from Tommy John surgery.

The Reds also avoided arbitration with another trade acquisition, Jose Trevino. The former New York Yankees backstop was traded to Cincinnati earlier this offseason agreed to a one-year, $3.425 million deal. The Reds had agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract with Alexis Díaz earlier in the day.

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