Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said Friday that Lux will be the team's primary second baseman this season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Most of Lux's starts last season with the Reds came in left field and the designated hitter slot, but second base has been his primary position in the big leagues and the Rays had a clear hole at the keystone. The move from Cincinnati to Tampa Bay is a big ballpark downgrade for Lux, but he could play more for the Rays than he had been projected to for the Reds. Lux slashed .269/.350/.374 with five home runs in 140 regular-season tilts for Cincinnati in 2025.

Lux was traded from the Reds to the Rays in a three-team deal Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lux is set to play out his final year of arbitration eligibility in 2026, making it surprising that the Rays seemingly targeted him in this deal. He should have a strong chance to serve on the large side of a platoon at second base, though his chances of seeing any amount of at-bats against lefties decreased with this move.

The Reds and Lux avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.525 million contract Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lux had been eligible for salary arbitration for the final time, as he's slated to reach free agency next winter. The 28-year-old hit .269/.350/.374 with five home runs over 140 regular-season games in his first season with the Reds. The left-handed-hitting Lux should play regularly against right-handed pitching in 2026, though he's unlikely to be locked into one position defensively.

Lux started in left field and went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored in Friday's 3-1 win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Lux was integral to the victory, which vaulted the Reds into a tie for the wild-card spot with the Mets, but Cincinnati owns the tie-breaker. He's been on a roll of late, going 12-for-35 (.343) with an .883 OPS, five extra-base hits and three RBI over the last 10 games. With Austin Hays (back) still sidelined, left field is available for Lux, who may also find opportunities at second base or designated hitter over the final weekend of the regular season.

Lux went 2-for-4 with an RBI double during the Reds' 1-0 win over the Cubs on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Lux was responsible for the game's only run, when his double off Jameson Taillon in the third inning brought Matt McLain home. Lux has logged at least one hit in five of his last six games, going 8-for-22 (.364) with two doubles, two runs and one RBI over that span.

Lux batted leadoff and went 3-for-5 with a run scored in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Lux stepped in atop the order for TJ Friedl, who was given the day off. The multi-hit effort was Lux's first since Aug. 18 and his third consecutive game with a base hit. He's doing his best to break out of a September funk; prior to his three-game hit streak, Lux was hitless over 21 at-bats.

Lux is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

With a left-hander (Matthew Liberatore) on the hill for St. Louis, the left-handed-hitting Lux will head to the bench after he had started in each of the Reds' previous eight games. Miguel Andujar will serve as Cincinnati's designated hitter in Lux's stead.

Lux went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Monday's 4-1 win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Lux had gone 37 games without a homer, picking up just six doubles in that span. He also batted .304 during the power drought. The 27-year-old is up to five homers, 47 RBI, 39 runs scored and a stolen base while slashing .281/.359/.386 over 395 plate appearances. He continues to see steady playing time in a strong-side platoon role, mainly between second base and left field.

Lux is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Lux went 2-for-6 with a run and two RBI in the first two games of the series, starting once in left field and once at second base, but he'll head to the bench against southpaw Jose Quintana. The Reds will go with Miguel Andujar in left and Santiago Espinal at the keystone.

Lux went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored in Friday's 10-8 loss to the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Lux was active early, delivering RBI singles in the first and second innings. The 27-year-old has hit .412 with five multi-hit efforts in 10 August games, though he entered Friday with just one RBI for the month. On the season, he's slashing .282/.362/.381 with four home runs, 45 RBI, 38 runs scored and one steal across 387 plate appearances.