The Cincinnati Reds wanted to make a point to the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday afternoon when the two teams met for the first time since Gavin Lux was traded.
Lux started at third base for the Reds and batted seventh going 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout.
When his afternoon was done, Lux reacted to facing his former team for the first time in his career.
He told David Vassegh that Alex Vesia gave him a wink after he flied out and it was “surreal” seeing all of the guys he just won a World Series with in the other dugout.
Last season, Lux served as the Dodgers’ primary second baseman, a position he’s played 307 times in his five-year career. He has also seen action at shortstop, left field, center field, and third base.
The Reds are going to use him at second base, third base and in the outfield.
“When we got him, I got more texts and calls about him that said, ‘Hey, you’re getting a baseball player. You’re getting a competitor. You’re getting a great kid,’” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “That made me feel good, people I respect in the game. He’s up for whatever we’re going to try to do, and I had heard that coming in.”
Lux isn’t going to see much time in the outfield to start but he did arrive in Goodyear, Ariz., prepared to play wherever.
“I’ve got three (gloves). One for third [base], one for second [base] and one for the outfield,” Lux said.
Lux also saw time at third base four times in the minors and dedicated additional offseason work to the position.
“I got a good amount of reps at third just to kind of be ready for whatever,” Lux said. “I feel pretty comfortable over there. I played a little bit over there in the Minor Leagues. It’s not totally unfamiliar.
“I think I will be prepared to be anywhere at any time.”
While Lux was stunned to be traded at the time, he has embraced this next chapter and is bringing his postseason experience to a team eager to win.
“This is a really good group,” Lux said of the Reds. “It’s young. A lot of guys with talent. It’s a really good group of guys that have fun playing baseball. We want to win. A lot of guys are right around my age. It’s fun to play with guys in similar situations as you.”
