Kyle Tucker’s blockbuster move to Los Angeles may have stolen the spotlight Thursday night, but buried beneath the frenzy was a sneaky three-team trade that deserves a closer look. The Angels, Rays, and Reds quietly pulled off a deal that could pay dividends down the line - even if it didn’t dominate headlines.
Here’s the breakdown: Josh Lowe is heading to Anaheim, Brock Burke lands in Cincinnati, and the Rays pick up right-hander Chris Clark and infielder Gavin Lux.
Let’s start with Lowe. The 28-year-old outfielder has flashed All-Star potential before, particularly during his breakout 2023 campaign.
He’s battled injuries over the last two seasons, but when healthy, he brings a tantalizing mix of speed, power, and defensive range. For the Angels - a team that’s long needed more consistency in the outfield - this is a calculated bet on upside.
If Lowe can stay on the field and recapture that 2023 form, the Halos might’ve just landed a difference-maker.
The Reds, meanwhile, add a reliable lefty arm in Brock Burke. He spent last season in Anaheim, working primarily as a swingman out of the bullpen.
While he didn’t blow anyone away, he was steady - and that’s something Cincinnati’s bullpen could use more of. Burke gives them flexibility, whether as a multi-inning reliever or a spot starter, and he’s still under team control for a few more years.
Then there’s Tampa Bay, always one to zig while others zag. The Rays pick up Chris Clark, a pitching prospect who quietly posted solid numbers across High-A and Double-A last season. He’s not a top-tier arm just yet, but there’s enough in the profile - command, projectable frame, and a developing slider - to make him an intriguing addition to the Rays’ pitching factory.
But the bigger name heading to Tampa is Gavin Lux.
Lux, once a top Dodgers prospect, has had a winding road. After being traded to Cincinnati ahead of the 2025 season, he posted modest offensive numbers while bouncing around the infield and even logging time in left field.
His bat showed signs of life, but the defense? Not so much.
He finished 2025 with a -0.2 bWAR - a steep drop from the 2.1 bWAR he posted with the Dodgers in 2024.
The Reds had high hopes when they dealt for Lux, even parting with Mike Sirota - now a top-100 prospect and currently ranked No. 5 in the Dodgers’ system. In hindsight, that deal clearly tilted in LA’s favor. Sirota’s been raking in the minors, and Lux didn’t quite deliver the impact Cincinnati had hoped for.
Now it’s Tampa Bay’s turn to try and unlock what’s left in Lux’s potential. And if there’s any team that can squeeze value out of a former top prospect, it’s the Rays.
They’ve built a reputation for reclamation projects, turning castoffs into contributors. Lux still has the tools - decent bat speed, some versatility - but he’ll need to clean up the glove and find a consistent role if he’s going to stick in Tampa’s plans.
All told, this is one of those rare trades that makes sense for all three teams. The Angels take a shot on upside with Lowe.
The Reds bolster their bullpen with a controllable lefty. And the Rays, true to form, add a pair of intriguing pieces they’ll try to mold into something greater.
It may not have made as much noise as the Tucker deal, but don’t sleep on this one. A few months from now, we might be looking back at this three-way swap as a quietly pivotal moment in the offseason.