While most eyes were on Kyle Tucker inking a blockbuster deal with the Dodgers, three other clubs quietly executed a move that could end up being one of the more underrated trades of the offseason. The Rays, Angels, and Reds linked up for a three-team deal that checks a lot of boxes for all involved-and might just reshape some depth charts heading into 2026.
Let’s break it down.
The Angels land Josh Lowe, the headliner in the deal
The Angels walked away with arguably the best player in the trade, acquiring outfielder Josh Lowe from the Rays. Lowe brings a mix of speed, pop, and defensive versatility to an Angels team that’s been searching for outfield consistency.
While the spotlight has often been on their bigger names, adding someone like Lowe gives them a legitimate everyday player who can impact the game in multiple ways. This is the kind of quietly aggressive move that could pay dividends over a long season.
Tampa Bay reloads with Gavin Lux and a pitching prospect
Tampa Bay, never shy about retooling on the fly, sent Lowe to Los Angeles but brought in utilityman Gavin Lux from Cincinnati, along with minor league right-hander Chris Clark. For a Rays team that traded away Brandon Lowe earlier in the offseason, Lux slots in as a natural replacement at second base-and maybe more.
Lux is coming off a solid, if not spectacular, season with the Reds, where he slashed .269/.350/.374 while bouncing around the diamond. He played second, third, and left field, showing the kind of versatility Tampa Bay loves. He’s not a power bat-2024 remains his only season with double-digit home runs-but he brings a high-contact, high-OBP profile that fits the Rays' offensive blueprint.
This is a player who knows how to get on base and keep the line moving. And for a team like Tampa Bay, which values efficiency and flexibility, Lux could be a sneaky-good addition.
Cincinnati adds bullpen depth in Brock Burke
The Reds, meanwhile, picked up left-handed reliever Brock Burke in the deal. Burke gives them another option in a bullpen that needed a bit more left-handed depth. While he’s not a household name, Burke has shown flashes of being a reliable arm out of the pen, and Cincinnati is betting he can stabilize the middle innings for them.
A fresh start for Lux in Tampa Bay
Now 28, Lux enters 2026 with a chance to re-establish himself as an everyday player. He was once one of the game’s top prospects-MLB Pipeline had him ranked No. 2 overall heading into 2020-and while his career hasn’t quite followed a straight line, there’s still plenty of upside here.
He debuted with the Dodgers in 2019, saw limited action in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and then took on a larger role in 2021. His best year came in 2022, when he hit .276 and led the National League with seven triples. But a torn ACL in spring training wiped out his 2023 season, and he spent most of 2024 in a utility role during the Dodgers’ run to the World Series before being dealt to the Reds.
Now, with Brandon Lowe out of the picture in Tampa, Lux has a clear runway to claim the starting second base job. Richie Palacios, a former Guardians prospect, is also in the mix, but Lux’s pedigree and the fact that the Rays made a move to get him suggest he’ll get the first crack.
A contract year with plenty on the line
Lux is set to earn $5.525 million in 2026 and will hit free agency for the first time next winter. That makes this season an important one-not just for his future in Tampa Bay, but for his long-term standing in the league. If he produces, he could play his way into a multi-year deal, whether with the Rays or someone else.
Tampa Bay has a long-standing reputation for getting the most out of players in contract years, and Lux fits the mold of someone who could thrive in their system. He’s a high-floor player with untapped ceiling, and the Rays are betting they can unlock it.
Final thoughts
This deal may not have made headlines like Kyle Tucker’s signing, but it’s the kind of trade that could quietly shift the outlook for three different teams. The Angels get a potential everyday outfielder.
The Reds add a needed bullpen arm. And the Rays, as they so often do, find value in a player like Gavin Lux-someone who might just be ready to take the next step.
Keep an eye on this one. It might not be flashy, but it has the makings of a win-win-win.