The Cincinnati Reds are charting their path forward this offseason after making their first playoff appearance in five years this past season. On Thursday, they avoided arbitration hearings by agreeing to one-year contracts with eight players, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.

"According to sources, infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer and the club agreed to a $4 million contract. Utility infielder Gavin Lux agreed to a $5.525 million contract," he reported. "Center fielder TJ Friedl avoided arbitration with a $3.8 million contract, and outfielder Will Benson will make $1.725 million. Just before the 8 p.m. ET deadline, second baseman Matt McLain came to terms on a $2.3 million contract."

"Starting pitchers Brady Singer and Nick Lodolo and reliever Tony Santillan also agreed to contracts," he continued. "Singer will get $12.75 million while Lodolo will earn $4.725 million. Santillan will get $1.8 million."

These players make up much of the Reds' supporting cast around franchise cornerstone Elly De La Cruz, but Lux is in a unique position. The 28-year-old is scheduled to hit free agency after next season and spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Dodgers before they traded him to the Reds in January 2025. Will Cincinnati be a pit stop for him, or will he stay for the long haul?

Reds Must Decide Gavin Lux Strategy

Cincinnati flipped outfield prospect Mike Sirota and a 2025 competitive balance draft pick to Los Angeles for Lux, who plays both infield and outfield. The veteran was reliable on both sides of the ball this past season, slashing .269/.350/.374 over 140 games while recording a .973 fielding percentage in left field and a .967 mark at second base.

Lux owns a .713 career OPS over 552 games, so he provides both consistency and versatility. The Reds could use him as a long-term utilityman, but he may want to test the open market next winter instead of re-signing before then. 

If Lux continues to produce next season, the team would be smart to at least offer him an extension. If his camp turns it down and/or negotiations stall, then it must trade him by the deadline at the end of July to avoid the possibility of him walking away for nothing in return next offseason. 

Another option is to trade Lux before Spring Training, but that starts in just over a month. At the very least, the Reds won't have to worry about an arbitration hearing for him on top of his impending free agency.