He’s an easy upgrade for the Dodgers in either corner, since their leftfielders have hit.229/.306/.373 this year and Reddick could play either corner.
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Jeff Passan of Yahoo is reporting that the players coming to Oakland are Grant Holmes, Frankie Montas and Jharel Cotton.
Both figure to step into prominent roles right away, with Reddick and his career-high.816 on-base plus slugging percentage likely dislodging Yasiel Puig from right field, and Hill joining the injury-wracked rotation as soon as the blister in his left middle finger has healed, probably later this week.
“No team wants to be in this position this time of year”, Forst said. Hill leads the American League (min. 75.0 IP) in ERA and home runs allowed per 9.0 innings (0.24, 2 HR/76.0IP), while ranking among the league’s best in opponents’ average (2nd), WHIP (9th) and strikeouts per 9.0 innings (10.66, 90 SO/76.0 IP).
The Oakland Athletics moved two of their biggest trade chips in one deal, sending outfielder Josh Reddick and pitcher Rich Hill to the Los Angeles Dodgers. More specifically, they will receive the Dodgers’ numbers five (Holmes), eight (Montas), and 13 (Cotton) prospects.
With four brilliant starts as a member of the Boston Red Sox last season, Hill earned himself a surprise one-year, $6 million deal with Oakland.
Reddick also had been injured this season, but he has been back for over a month now after fracturing his left thumb. Rich Hill is a thirty-six year old pitcher who appears to just now be finding his way to pitch.
Holmes is 8-4 with a save and a 4.02 ERA in 20 games, 18 starts, for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. The Blue Jays have gotten unbelievable performances from J.A. Happ and Marco Estrada this year while Marcus Stroman is beginning to pitch much better of late. Reddick is earning $6,575,000 this year.
If Hill comes back and pitches as he did the first half of the season, then the Dodgers have found a true gem. I’d guess that any deal would have to start with two above average prospects and cash. Their peripherals say they should be good or better team against lefties, especially when they have both Kiké Hernandez and Scott Van Slyke healthy. Reddick gives the lineup some much-needed pop, and allows President Andrew Friedman and GM Farhan Zaidi the flexibility to make an even bigger move. Due to persistent blister problems, he has only made three starts since May 29.
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The LA front office has filled two of their three needs at the trade deadline, and they still might not be done making deals. The Dodgers are a better team than they were an hour ago, and most of their prized prospects are still around for now.
