Mariners Eye Dodgers’ Gavin Lux as Potential Trade Target

When one door closed on the Seattle Mariners‘ offseason, another may have opened. After missing out on Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim, who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last Friday, the Mariners are reportedly turning their attention to Dodgers’ utility player Gavin Lux. Kim’s signing has made Lux potentially expendable, and the Mariners have already engaged in talks with the Dodgers about acquiring him.

According to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, the Mariners have been more aggressive than other teams, including the New York Yankees, in pursuing Lux. Jon Morosi of MLB Network also confirmed that the Mariners have inquired about Lux’s availability. The Dodgers currently have six middle infielders on their 40-man roster, making Lux a logical trade candidate.

Lux, 27, is a versatile player who has primarily played second base but has also seen time at shortstop and in the outfield. A former first-round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, Lux was once one of baseball’s top prospects. While he hasn’t fully lived up to the hype, he has been a solid contributor for the Dodgers. In 2024, Lux slashed .251/.320/.383 with a career-high 10 home runs in 139 games.

Lux’s best season came in 2022 when he posted a .276/.346/.399 slash line and tied for the National League lead with seven triples. However, he missed the entire 2023 season due to a torn ACL suffered in spring training. Defensively, Lux has struggled at shortstop, but he has been serviceable at second base, ranking in the 34th percentile in range last season.

Despite his ups and downs, Lux has shown flashes of brilliance, including a pinch-hit home run in his first postseason at-bat in 2019, making him the youngest player in MLB history to achieve that feat. He also contributed to the Dodgers’ 2024 World Series run, playing through a hip flexor injury during the National League Championship Series.

Lux is arbitration-eligible through 2026 and is expected to earn $2.76 million in 2025, making him an affordable option for the Mariners. With Seattle in need of infield depth, Lux could provide a valuable left-handed bat and defensive flexibility. As the offseason progresses, the Mariners’ pursuit of Lux could be a key storyline to watch.