It’s never a good idea to overreact to spring training performances, but the early returns on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ decision to trade Gavin Lux in favor of signing utility infielder Hyeseong Kim have been… not great.

Kim’s first MLB spring training has gotten off to a rough start – so rough, in fact, that the Dodgers are considering having him open the 2025 season in Triple-A so he can continue to work on his swing.

Meanwhile, Lux has had a solid spring for Cincinnati, slashing .238/.429/.333 with two doubles, four RBI, and a steal across nine games.

Lux has been showcasing his versatility during his first spring training with the Reds, logging innings at third base, second base, DH and – most recently – left field.

He earned his start at left this spring in Tuesday’s Cactus League matchup against the Colorado Rockies, but it stands to reason that the Reds would prefer to see him spend the bulk of his innings at third base.

Reds’ Gavin Lux move could have Dodgers regretting ditching him for Hyeseong Kim

Regardless of where Lux plays on the diamond this season, it’s clear after Kim’s rocky start to spring that the Dodgers are going to miss his bat in the lineup more than they initially thought they would.

Lux is coming off a 2024 season that saw him slash .251/.320/.383 with a .703 OPS.

He added 10 home runs and 50 RBI while appearing in a career-high 139 games. During the Dodgers’ run to the World Series, Lux had a home run and four RBI in 12 postseason games.

Lux’s 2024 performance (and durability) is even more impressive considering he was recovering from a knee injury that forced him to miss the entire 2023 season.

Ultimately, though, the Dodgers chose to move on from him after adding Kim to an already-crowded infield mix.

On paper, Lux’s and Kim’s skillsets are similar in that they are both left-handed-hitting middle infielders with limited power at the plate.

Kim is more capable of playing shortstop, however, which theoretically allows Mookie Betts to spend more time at second base.

The Dodgers also have Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor, among others, who are capable of plugging in at middle infield positions as needed.

One could argue that Cincinnati’s infield is just as crowded as the Dodgers’ – but the Reds value Lux’s versatility and made it a priority to fit him into their lineup rather than squeezing him out.

Only time will tell if the Dodgers made the right decision to move on.