Not only was Reddick being asked to move to the playoff-contending Los Angeles Dodgers via trade on Monday, he was being asked simply to play a supporting role for an offense that already was rolling, to be a complementary piece from the outset, instead of being asked to make an immediate difference.
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The three prospects the A’s get in return are starting pitchers Frankie Montes (No. 95 ranked prospect by MLB.com), Grant Holmes (No. 62 ranked prospect by MLB.com) and Jharel Cotton. It comes as no surprise that the Athletics were sellers at the deadline considering they are eleven games under.500. While it’s more likely that the Cardinals look into the trade market for that add this winter, Reddick shouldn’t be dismissed or ignored. This was a big trade though and should help the Athletics long-term. Although Khris Davis and his power (23 bombs this season) were great protection for Reddick batting immediately behind him, Reddick should see better pitches to hit in Los Angeles. Reddick and Hill were among the most popular players in the clubhouse and there were hopes that contract extension talks with both would bear fruition. The 20-year-old right-hander is in High-A ball, striking out 8.5 batters per nine.
As for Reddick, this one is a little trickier. Reddick wanted a four-year deal worth $56 million, while Oakland offered him $36 million over three years.
Both Reddick and Hill are free agents after this season. However, Oakland can not afford expensive contracts.
Letting Reddick go wasn’t an easy call.
A’s fan favorite Josh Reddick is introduced during Fan Fest in 2015. He was originally selected in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of Conway (SC) High School. “Hill is 9-3 with a 2.14 ERA in 14 starts for Oakland this year, adding another quality arm to a pitching staff that is fourth-best in the league in ERA”.
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Despite the low ranking, the Dodgers are still 12th in hard-hit rate against lefties this year, a number that will normalize much more quickly than wRC+ or a slash line. His future value rating is 55, so he is projected to be slightly above league average. Cotton pitched last month in the All-Stars Futures game. During his four-and-a-half years with the Athletics, he bought into “Moneyball” and became a very patient hitter, which has been his best attribute this season. He won’t benefit as much as he did pitching his home games in the Oakland Coliseum, where the foul ground goes on forever, and it’s very hard to go deep. In twenty-two games, Cotton has posted a 4.90 ERA. “Absolutely. And you know, some people are probably going to think that I’m delusional, but I mean there’s no reason to put the uniform on if you don’t believe that you can win”.
