On July 25, 2025, the Dodgers traded Gavin Lux to the Reds, then faced the Red Sox. Can Shohei Ohtani lead LA past Boston after the big roster shakeup?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of looking both to the future and the immediate present for the Los Angeles Dodgers. While the team prepared for a classic weekend series opener at Fenway Park, the front office made waves by trading former top prospect Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds, officially closing the book on a promising but often frustrating chapter in Dodger history.
Catcher Will Smith is quietly putting together a monster season, hitting .323 with a .424 on-base percentage and a .549 slugging percentage.
The news broke just ahead of the team's flight to Boston: infielder Gavin Lux is heading to the Cincinnati Reds. In return, the Dodgers acquired promising minor league outfielder Mike Sirota and the Reds' competitive balance A pick in this year's draft. For Lux, the 2016 first-round pick, it's a chance for a fresh start after struggling to carve out a consistent role in a star-studded Dodgers infield. For the front office, this is a classic Andrew Friedman move: trading from a position of depth to acquire high-upside future assets. Sirota adds another intriguing piece to the farm system, and an extra high-level draft pick is invaluable currency.
With the trade buzz settling, the focus shifts to the field. The 60-43 Dodgers, sitting comfortably atop the NL West with a 4.5-game lead, open a marquee series against the Boston Red Sox. All eyes will be on Shohei Ohtani, who brings his 37 home runs to the hitter-friendly confines of Fenway Park. He's not the only one locked in; catcher Will Smith continues to be one of the best offensive players in baseball, consistently getting on base and driving in runs. Facing the 55-49 Red Sox in their historic park is the perfect test for a team with championship aspirations.
The team's success is even more impressive given the state of the bullpen and bench. Key arms remain on the mend, with Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) now targeting a September return, which would be a huge boost for the stretch run. Fellow reliever Michael Kopech (knee) is closer, eyeing a late August comeback. Meanwhile, utility man Kiké Hernández (elbow) is still a few weeks away, and Evan Phillips is done for the year after Tommy John surgery. The team's depth is being tested, making every healthy contributor that much more critical.
The Gavin Lux trade is a stark reminder that the Dodgers organization is always operating on two tracks: winning today and building for tomorrow. As the team takes the field at Fenway, they do so with a slightly different future in mind but the same immediate goal. A strong showing in Boston would prove, once again, that even when they're making moves for 2028, the 2025 Dodgers are the team to beat right now.
