In a development likely to be overshadowed by the news of Kyle Tucker joining the juggernaut Los Angeles Dodgers, the crosstown Los Angeles Angels, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Tampa Bay Rays reportedly pulled off a three-team trade on Thursday night, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The centerpiece of the trade is Reds infielder Gavin Lux. He will join right-handed pitching prospect Chris Clark in going to Tampa Bay. Angels left-handed reliever Brock Burke will go to Cincinnati. Meanwhile, Rays outfielder Josh Lowe will join the Angels.
Gavin Lux Traded to Rays in Three-Team Deal Involving Reds, Angels
Three-way trade news: Tampa Bay, Cincinnati and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a deal that will send outfielder Josh Lowe to the Angels, infielder Gavin Lux and right-hander Chris Clark to the Rays and left-handed reliever Brock Burke to the Reds, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 16, 2026
Lux is on the move again after one season in Cincinnati. Breaking in with the Dodgers in 2019, he has a career slash line of .256/.332/.381 with 33 home runs and 208 RBI in six seasons. He missed all of 2023 due to a torn ACL he suffered during that spring training, but he bounced back to play in 139 games in 2024 and 140 last season. In his lone season with the Reds, Lux slashed .269/.350/.374 with five homers, 53 RBI, and 28 doubles. While he has yet to put up All-Star numbers, another change of scenery could help Lux become more of an offensive centerpiece.
Clark, a 24-year-old right-hander, split last season in the minor leagues between Single-A, High-A, and Double-A, going 4-10 with a 4.73 ERA and 1.313 WHIP in 28 total games (26 starts).
Burke joins the Reds after five seasons split between the Texas Rangers and the Angels. Last year, in 69 games (one start), he went 7-1 with a 3.36 ERA and a 1.232 WHIP. The 29-year-old will look to be an impactful left-handed addition to the Reds’ bullpen.
Lowe to Anaheim
Lowe is the second most notable player involved in the deal. Debuting in 2021, he became a mainstay with the Rays from 2023 onward. A career .250 hitter with 43 homers and 170 RBI, he should add a bit of left-handed pop to an Angels lineup that is always looking for something more in recent years.
Main Photo Credit: © Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
