Reds land veteran reliever Brock Burke in a three-team deal, addressing bullpen needs and clearing salary as they build for 2026.
The Cincinnati Reds made a move late Thursday night to reshape their roster, trading infielder Gavin Lux to the Tampa Bay Rays as part of a three-team deal that also involved the Los Angeles Angels.
In return, Cincinnati acquired left-handed reliever Brock Burke from the Angels, addressing a need in the bullpen while clearing salary.
The Reds finished the 2025 season with an 83-79 record and made the playoffs as a Wild Card team before falling to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, and this trade signals the front office is looking to build around their young core heading into 2026.
What the Reds Get in Burke
Brock Burke gives Cincinnati another veteran arm for their bullpen, and the 29-year-old southpaw is coming off a strong season with the Angels where he posted a 3.36 ERA and 1.232 WHIP across 69 appearances.
He went 7-1 while striking out 52 batters in 61.2 innings, and his ability to get both left-handed and right-handed hitters out makes him a good fit for manager Terry Francona's pitching staff.
Burke joins fellow lefties Caleb Ferguson and Sam Moll in the Reds bullpen, and the acquisition has been a focus for Cincinnati this offseason as they've also brought back Emilio Pagan and added Pierce Johnson.
The former Texas Rangers pitcher won a World Series ring in 2023 and brings playoff experience to a Cincinnati team that is hoping to take another step forward next season.
Why the Reds Moved Lux
Gavin Lux spent just one season in Cincinnati after being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers last January.
He played in 140 games and hit .269/.350/.374 with five home runs and 53 RBI, which was solid but not enough to justify his $5.525 million salary for a small-market team that values every dollar.
The bigger issue was that Lux never found a clear position with the Reds, as he split time between designated hitter, left field, and the infield without providing much defensive value at any spot.
His -0.2 WAR according to Baseball Reference showed that while he was a league-average hitter, his lack of power and defensive struggles limited his overall impact.
The Financial Side
This move makes sense for the Reds from a money standpoint because Burke is owed just $2.325 million in 2026, which saves Cincinnati over $3 million compared to what they would have paid Lux.
That extra cash could help the front office add another bat before spring training, and fans have been pushing ownership to spend more after the team missed out on Kyle Schwarber this winter.
The trade also clears a path for rookie Sal Stewart to get more playing time at designated hitter while sharing reps with Spencer Steer at first base.
With Elly De La Cruz, Hunter Greene, and other young stars under team control, the Reds are hoping moves like this help them compete in a tough NL Central that now features Alex Bregman on the rival Chicago Cubs.
Burke could end up being a trade chip himself if the Reds fall out of the race, but for now he gives Cincinnati a reliable left-handed option in the middle innings as they try to build on last year's playoff appearance.