Gavin Lux Headlines 3-Team MLB Trade, Full Details on Reported Deal with Rays, Angels, Reds
The 2026 MLB hot stove just delivered its first major three-team earthquake. In a trade that reshapes the middle infield for one contender and provides a fresh start for a former top prospect, the Tampa Bay Rays, Cincinnati Reds, and Los Angeles Angels have reportedly agreed to a blockbuster four-player swap.
As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Thursday, January 15, 2026, the deal centers around former Los Angeles Dodgers star Gavin Lux, who is heading to the American League East after just one season in the Queen City.
The Trade Breakdown
The trade is a classic example of three teams addressing specific organizational needs—salary relief, outfield depth, and middle-infield upside.
| Team | Acquiring | Sending Away |
| Tampa Bay Rays | IF Gavin Lux (from CIN), RHP Chris Clark (from LAA) | OF Josh Lowe |
| Los Angeles Angels | OF Josh Lowe (from TB) | LHP Brock Burke, RHP Chris Clark |
| Cincinnati Reds | LHP Brock Burke (from LAA) | IF Gavin Lux |
Tampa Bay Rays: Buying Low on Gavin Lux
The Rays are famous for their ability to rehabilitate the careers of former top prospects, and Gavin Lux might be their most intriguing project yet. Lux, now 28, spent the 2025 season with the Reds after a high-profile trade from the Dodgers. In 140 games for Cincinnati, he hit .269/.350/.374 with five home runs and 53 RBI.
While his power numbers haven’t quite returned to his pre-ACL injury levels, Lux remains an elite on-base threat. He posted a career-high 10-game hitting streak last summer and finished the second half of 2025 slashing an impressive .304/.391/.508. For a Rays team that values positional flexibility and plate discipline, Lux is a perfect fit. He has recently avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract, making him a cost-effective starter at either second base or shortstop.
Additionally, the Rays bolstered their farm system by acquiring Chris Clark. The 24-year-old Harvard product showed flashes of dominance in 2025 across three levels of the Angels’ system, ending the year with a 4.73 ERA and 153 strikeouts over 144.2 innings.
Los Angeles Angels: Power in the Outfield
The Angels were desperate for a left-handed bat with speed, and they found it in Josh Lowe. This trade marks the first time Lowe will play for a team other than the Rays since being drafted in 2016. Lowe is coming off a slightly down 2025 where he hit .220 with 11 home runs and 18 stolen bases, but his 2023 breakout (20 HR, 32 SB) is still fresh in the minds of scouts.
Lowe, 27, provides the Angels with a dynamic athlete who can play all three outfield positions. By trading away relief depth to acquire him, the Halos are betting that a change of scenery—and a move away from the pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field—will reignite his power.
Cincinnati Reds: Bullpen Stability and Salary Flexibility
For the Reds, this move appears to be as much about the books as it is about the bullpen. By moving Lux and his $5.5 million salary, they acquired veteran lefty Brock Burke, who is set to earn approximately $2.33 million in 2026.
Burke, a 2023 World Series champion with the Rangers, revitalized his career with the Angels last year. He recorded a 3.36 ERA across 61.2 innings, striking out 52 batters and proving he can handle high-leverage situations. For a Reds team looking to stabilize a volatile relief corps, Burke offers a reliable left-handed arm with postseason experience.
Final Thoughts: Who Won the Trade?
- Tampa Bay wins on “potential.” If Lux becomes the All-Star he was projected to be in Los Angeles, this is a steal.
- The Angels win on “fit.” They needed an everyday outfielder, and Lowe is an immediate upgrade.
- The Reds win on “efficiency.” They cleared salary while adding a proven late-inning arm.
