The baseball world was bracing for fireworks last night, and for a moment, it looked like the New York Mets were about to light the fuse. Mets owner Steve Cohen took to social media with a cryptic post-“Let me know when you see smoke”-a nod to the papal conclave and a clear signal that big news was on the horizon.
The buzz? That All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker was nearing a decision in free agency.
But when the smoke finally rose, it wasn’t in Queens-it was out west in Chavez Ravine. The Los Angeles Dodgers, already stacked with talent, landed Tucker on a jaw-dropping four-year, $240 million deal, adding yet another MVP-caliber bat to their powerhouse lineup.
For Mets fans, it was a gut punch. For the Dodgers, it was business as usual: flexing financial muscle and deepening an already elite roster.
While the Tucker signing dominated headlines, a significant three-team trade quietly reshaped rosters in the background-and it’s one that could have real implications in the NL Central. The Cincinnati Reds, Tampa Bay Rays, and Los Angeles Angels pulled off a late-night deal that sent outfielder Josh Lowe to the Angels, infielder Gavin Lux and right-hander Chris Clark to the Rays, and lefty reliever Brock Burke to the Reds.
Let’s unpack what this means, particularly for Cincinnati, who continue to make strategic moves in a quietly productive offseason.
Reds Ship Out Gavin Lux, Add Bullpen Firepower
Gavin Lux’s time in Cincinnati comes to a close after just one season. The Wisconsin native, once a top prospect in the Dodgers system, was acquired by the Reds last January in a deal that sent pitching prospect Mike Sirota and a Competitive Balance Round A pick to Los Angeles. Lux brought versatility and a solid left-handed bat, but his 2025 campaign was a mixed bag.
At the plate, Lux posted a respectable .269/.350/.374 slash line with 28 doubles and an OPS+ of 97-just a tick below league average. But his defensive metrics dragged down his overall value. Tasked with bouncing between second base, the outfield, and even a few innings at third, Lux struggled to find consistency in the field, finishing with a -0.2 bWAR.
Still, there’s a reason the Rays were willing to take a chance. Lux is just 28 and still has time to tap into the potential that once made him a first-round pick. Tampa Bay has a strong track record of maximizing value from players like Lux, and a more defined role could help him settle in.
Reds Bolster the Bullpen with Brock Burke
In return, Cincinnati lands left-handed reliever Brock Burke, who’s coming off a career year with the Angels. Burke posted a 3.36 ERA across 69 appearances in 2025, and the underlying numbers suggest there’s even more to like. His ground-ball rate ranked in the 90th percentile, and his fastball sits comfortably at 96 mph-plenty of heat from the left side.
This isn’t just a depth move. Burke joins a bullpen that’s been a clear point of emphasis for the Reds this winter.
With Caleb Ferguson, Pierce Johnson, and the re-signing of closer Emilio Pagán, Cincinnati is building a relief corps designed to hold leads and shorten games. That’s a big deal for a club that made the playoffs last year but struggled to finish games consistently.
A Quiet Offseason, but a Clear Plan in Cincinnati
While the Reds didn’t land a marquee name like Kyle Tucker-though they were reportedly in on Kyle Schwarber earlier this offseason-they’ve made a series of smart, targeted moves. The front office, led by Nick Krall, has stayed disciplined, choosing to reinforce key areas rather than chase splashy headlines.
This trade is another piece of that puzzle. Burke addresses a real need in the bullpen, and the Reds part with a player in Lux who, while talented, didn’t have a locked-in role heading into 2026.
With a young, battle-tested core returning and a bullpen that looks far more stable than it did a year ago, the Reds are shaping up to be a legitimate threat in the NL Central. For the Milwaukee Brewers and the rest of the division, this is a team worth keeping a close eye on.
The Dodgers may have made the biggest noise last night, but Cincinnati’s moves-quiet as they were-could end up making just as big an impact when the games start to count.