Gavin Lux Opens Up About ‘Pressure’ of Playing for Dodgers
Gavin Lux is embracing his new role as a leader in the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse.
After being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers, the two-time World Series champion brings valuable postseason experience to a team that hasn’t won the NL Central since 2012. With more than 70 postseason at-bats under his belt, Lux understands the pressure that comes with October baseball.
He learned all about it in Los Angeles.
More news: Gavin Lux Says He Was Shocked About Being Traded From Dodgers
“Playoff baseball is a different animal. Everything is under a microscope,” Lux said. “There’s a ton of pressure. Playing in L.A. also is a little bit of a pressure cooker, too. I think I’ve been through quite a bit of ups and downs in my career — injuries, getting sent down, getting brought back up, [changing] positions, all that.
“Hopefully I can be a shoulder for these guys to lean on, because I’ve kind of been through all the ups and downs you can imagine. [It’s] just trying to be a good clubhouse guy.”
The Reds are making big changes to become contenders. Along with hiring legendary manager Terry Francona, they’ve added new faces like Lux. His arrival could mean a positional shift, with Elly De La Cruz at shortstop and Matt McLain expected back from injury at second base.
Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall has expressed openness to trying Lux at either corner infield spot, despite his limited experience there. Lux has played just one big league game at third base and none at first base, but he’s ready to adapt.
“I think if I have enough time and heads-up, I can be ready to play wherever these guys need me to,” Lux said.
The trade also brought Lux closer to home. A native of Kenosha, Wisc., he’ll now play in Milwaukee twice a season. The timing of the trade was unique, as Lux was celebrating his grandfather’s 91st birthday when he got the news.
“It’s initially a little bit of a shock,” Lux said. “That’s a big deal, a lot going on, but we just said, ‘Whatever, we’re going to enjoy the night and celebrate his birthday and go from there.’ We just kept on going.”
Lux missed the 2023 season due to a torn ACL in his right knee but rebounded in 2024 with a .251/.320/.383 slash line, 10 home runs, 50 RBIs, and 2.1 bWAR over 139 games. His second-half surge stood out as he hit .304 with an .899 OPS and seven home runs in 61 games.
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Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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