10:16pm: The A’s gave the Halos “a flat ’no'” when Reddick was brought up, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports adds. Notably, per the report, Los Angeles also inquired about Ben Zobrist, adding to the laundry list of teams with at least some interest in the useful veteran.
5:44pm: The Angels have been on the lookout for corner outfield help, and MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez reports that the team had discussions with the Athletics regarding Josh Reddick prior to the resignation of now-former Angels GM Jerry Dipoto (all links to Twitter). According to Gonzalez, the Angels tried to get the Red Sox involved to act as a liaison — acting in a similar fashion to the Dodgers in the team’s essential three-team Howie Kendrick trade this winter — but Boston wasn’t interested.
Specific names that were discussed haven’t been revealed, but Gonzalez reports that talks never got too far off the ground. However, the report is interesting in light of Reddick’s more recent comments regarding the Athletics’ front office and his playing time (or lack thereof) against left-handed pitching. Via CSN Bay Area’s Joe Stiglich, Reddick expressed frustration recently that he’s been held out of the lineup against left-handed pitching. In a radio appearance with Ray Fosse on 95.7 The Game in Oakland, Reddick was not shy about voicing some displeasure:
“It doesn’t come from anywhere in this clubhouse. Everybody knows what situations our general manager puts up there. … There’s probably so many numbers they could dig into their computers with and try to find one just to keep me out of the lineup. … I know [manager] Bob [Melvin]’s in there fighting for me. The other day I was supposed to play against De La Rosa, and Bob texts me at around 1:30 and told me he had been ‘trumped,’ was the word he used. I understood right away. … It still frustrates me beyond belief when I don’t play.”
Melvin told Stiglich that he is the one responsible for the lineup card, not the front office, and that he “got ahead of himself” in telling Reddick he’d be playing that day. “…I backtracked and told him you’re not playing now. And maybe to an extent he thought I was so-called trumped.”
Reddick did walk his comments back slightly, as Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports, though he did not waver from his feelings on playing time. “Bottom line, I want to be out there every day, no matter who’s on the mound,” said Reddick. “That was the message. How it came out may not have been how I wanted it to come out. Some miscommunication between me and Bob. I probably just assumed too much. … Who knows at this point how things are worked out? But I talked to Bob and we got a handle on it between the two of us.”
Platoons have long been commonplace in Oakland, and it seems that players there generally buy into the idea of part-time roles, though it’s not surprising to hear that any player would want to be in the lineup on a more regular basis. Reddick’s struggles against left-handed pitching, though, have been extensive. He’s batting .329/.384/.527 against righties this year but just .159/.227/.232 in 75 plate appearances against lefties. While a 75-PA sample is far too small to make a full assessment, Reddick’s lifetime slash line against same-handed pitching is .220/.283/.379, and the vast majority of that production came back in 2011-12. It’s certainly possible that fewer reps and more limited exposure to left-handed pitching have caused his skills in that regard to diminish, of course, but dating back to 2013, Reddick is hitting .198/.276/.296 in 328 turns at bat vs. lefties.
To what extent the Angels will remain interested following the abrupt departure of Dipoto isn’t known. The team still has a need to acquire left-handed bats and has received only a collective .220/.279/.319 batting line from its left fielders in 2015. Reddick is primarily a right fielder — and a good one at that, though defensive marks are a bit down on him in 2015 — so perhaps Kole Calhoun could slide to left field in the event that the division rivals match up down the road.
As for the A’s, it remains to be seen how interested the club will be in dealing away Reddick if it comes time to sell. The 28-year-old is controllable for another season through arbitration after earning a rather reasonable $4.1MM this year. Players like Ben Zobrist and Scott Kazmir have received more attention as possible trade pieces, in large part because they will become free agents after the season. But Oakland will surely at least entertain the possibility of a move involving Reddick, who could be in fairly high demand.
It would be extremely frustrating to be unquestionably one of the team’s top 3 hitters (Zobrist, Burns and Vogt maybe) to sit as often as Reddick does. Lots of star hitters have bad splits, but it doesn’t mean the team’s FO should mess with their best hitter’s rhythym by sitting them so often.
Zobrist and Burns are switch hitters, and Vogt played more games when Davis was hurt.
I was only saying that Reddick has to be in consideration as their best hitter with only Vogt, Burns, and Zobrist as who could possibly rank ahead of him there.
If they have someone that is more successful against LHP and can cut it defensively in his stead, why not bench him?
I get the feeling that Reddick knows he doesn’t hit lefties well, and it’s simply his competitive nature that brings about his desire to be on the field every day.
The thing is, Reddick is not only a good hitter, but he also is one of the best defensive RFs in the game. And he’s considered a team leader as someone who has been there the longest on an ever-changing A’s lineup. It would be frustrating for a player in that role to not play everyday, even though he does have bad splits, they should let him work through them. Rizzo had horrible splits for the Cubs last season but they let him play vs lefties anyway. Now, he hits them fine.
It’s not just that Reddick doesn’t hit lefties….he looks practically clueless against them…like a sunken lineup slot. That’s alright with a.lower batting order slot….but man…he.has to be serviceable against lefties… The A’s undeniably would like to have that bat in the lineup
I’d be more,concerned if a player didn’t display the competitive drive to want to be on the field everyday. But the fact is…if a player like that doesn’t cut it against a platoon….then he’d have to be content starting for a non contender or someone that doesn’t care
Most obvious name to come up for Boston would be Brock Holt, though seems like the Angels would have a more pressing need with someone like that (super utility) than Reddick. Holt can play both 3b and RF.. Though of course only one at a time..
Freese himself needs replacing, as does Joyce. Issues now are probably what faced the Angels and Boston over the Winter.. What does Anaheim have that interests Boston, other than the most untouchable player in the game.. Trout?
If was Cherrington? Would be repeating over and over just 1 name..Garrett Richards..
Can add in 4th OF, who has been hitting since coming to Boston Alejandro DeAza, also getting paid by the Orioles btw as the RF and also include *1* of the kids at Pawtucket.. Henry Owens, or Brian Johnson. Johnson, who is ready, Owens, who has higher ceiling but probably won’t be until later this year.
I think Andrew Heaney would be the player Boston would be interested in from the Angels.
Heaney doesn’t help Boston is the thing. They already have 2 kids like that at AAA and one (Owens) maybe has more upside than does Heaney.
If Boston was to get involved with Anaheim, it’s would have to be with young, controllable pitching that’s better than they already currently have on the roster, or have sitting in the minors and Richards is the only example I see.
Anaheim might say no, then just stop everything right there. No sense in giving up a key player for repetition of something an organization has multiples of.
I must be really missing something on Brock Holt if he’s seriously worthy of the Angels trading their #1 starter (and one of the best young/cheap pitchers in the game) for him.
You think the Red Sox could get more for Holt?
Wasn’t really suggesting anything. Story mentioned that over the winter DiPito couldn’t bring Boston in and was trying to explain why more than anything.. Boston was and is mostly looking (now) for young and controllable SP that would be better than what they currently have close to helping the big league club, or mlb ready.
Not saying that Anaheim would swap Richards, as I also wrote. If they won’t discuss him still? Politely stop talking should the Angels be looking at.. Say Holt which Sherman believes some teams are approaching them about.
All I did was mention other pieces Boston could add in (kids of Heaney’s talent level) and other guys to fill in a hole for 2 months (De Aza). Wasn’t meant to say Anaheim would go out and trade away the best SP they have, though Anaheim will find out they won’t get kids who can play, hit, come with plenty of years of control and good defense without giving back the bank also.
Richards is an interesting idea. But to realistically nab him it would take holt, owens, Margot and maybe a lotto ticket
That wouldn’t even nab Hamels apparently.
I just looked at the standings and saw the A’s, while being in last place in the west, are only 6.5 games out of the wild card and have a guy named Sonny Gray who has done nothing but deal in late season must-win games. Plenty of teams have stormed home to make the playoffs after being way further out and being as the A’s have lost 21 1-run games so far, they could even be buyers than sellers.
I’m thinking Beane’s not going to trade anyone unless its a massive overpay, ala what he did last year for Samardzija+Hammel.
I can see him moving Zobrist.. The return will be quite a lot and I am sure he is looking for pieces for next year.. Kazmir seems less likely because he will definitely be needed for a stretch run towards the playoffs.. Beene is too competitive to give up on the season being only 6.5 out of the playoffs.. But then again, I am sure he doesn’t see this team as being able to make a serious world series run.. If he unloads several pieces and tanks the rest of the way he will set them up for a chance at some good draft picks and he will have some additional money available for next year.. Either way it should be interesting..
I think you have it backwards. Zobrist plays multiple positions and switch hits. The A’s play platoons every day and that sort of player is about as valuable as you can get. Kazmir is good, but the A’s have Pomeranz, Bassit, Nolin and Zito who could all start tomorrow. Downgrade, yes. But so would any return they got for Zobrist.
I absolutely forgot about Tomato Can Zito. Full credit – he’s hanging in there..
If Zito pitches for the A’s this season then Beane has officially given up.
I’m surprised the Phillies haven’t taken a flier on him actually.
You would be happy putting Zito on the hill over Kazmir in a meaningful game in September?
If the trade of Kazmir nets someone that can help in other areas, it could result in a net gain. But straight up like that, no. Nobody would. On a side note, I really don’t see the A’s playing meaningful games in September. Even though they’re only 6.5 out, they have to hop over 11 teams to get there. That’s pretty tough.
They were surrealistically below what their indicators would have had their record over the first half. The defense absolutely killed them. If they basically progressed to what their stats say they should be…then they stand a chance.
Angels don’t have the pieces to be big spenders on a major piece at the deadline.
If Reddick is unhappy and they may be motivated to move him?
Someone like Kyle McGowin who projects as a MLB #4 with a lower level bat may get the deal going.
Um, no. You’re crazy if you think that’s at all fair.
The only player similar to Reddick that was traded in the last few years is Jason Heyward. Now, Heyward is a bit better than Reddick, but Reddick is under team control for longer, and deadline deals always cost more. So it would cost the Angels at LEAST something equivalent to Shelby Miller + Tyrell Jenkins.
That means at least one of Heaney/Newcomb, plus additional pieces. You can’t get a young impact bat like Reddick for just spare parts.
Agreed, if Boston gets involved its probably Holt & Heaney for Reddick with like Pomeranz, Bassit and Newcomb going to Boston, maybe some other pieces from all sides getting thrown in to even it up more.
But as it was stated in the update to this post, the A’s actually aren’t interested in moving Reddick.
If Beane could trade get Heaney for Reddick he’d likely have done it…I believe during that winter chess match last off season there were better offers for Heaney.
OK, McGowin may not be enough but come on…Reddick is not close to Heyward. Reddick is a platoon player who is working against the brass. I believe he is only controlled through arbitration next year so really not a big deal in that aspect.
Let’s go with Nick Tropeano…he’s our #4 pitching prospect on a farm with some very good young arms.
Beane would not accept that deal. He would maybe accept Heaney+++ but its all a wash as this entire convo is, Reddick apologized, the A’s told the Angels “no” so time to move on…
The Angels ACQUIRED Tropeano for a BACK-UP CATCHER. And you think now he’s worth one of the better two-sided RFs in the game? You’re nuts.
How dare the A’s front office do what’s best for the lineup and keep a guy who is worthless against lefties in a platoon role.
“There’s probably so many numbers they could dig into their computers with and try to find one just to keep me out of the lineup”
Everything points to Josh Reddick being awful against LHP. “try to find one” implies the A’s would have to make an effort, when in reality they could blindfold themselves and still trip over a slew of stats pointing out how bad he is.
But hey, don’t let that .495 OPS against LHP tell the story, Josh.
If you don’t want to sit on the bench, don’t play poorly.
Reddick’s lopsided splits have reminded me of another ex Red Sox player and really.. A guy many Sox fans always wanted Reddick to become in Boston… Trot Nixon. Nixon also was a wild swinger vs LH pitchers and looked bad, but crushed righties, great defender in right field with a good arm for those who remember.
Trot’s glory years were not long before the league got his number down.. 5y? Lets hope Reddick will adjust.
My bet is Reddick is traded around all star break. Doubt it is to the angels since they would need to give up 1 of their best prospect for him. My best guess is the yanks. He is another Swisher who could crush in that park.
Yankees don’t need any more outfielders.. Although, I agree with you.. Yankee stadium is tailor made for players like Reddick.. He would put up some outstanding numbers there..
They have Beltran and a weak farm. No match there.
He’s a Cub
I hope Billy B. gets a boatload of the Yankees better prospects for Reddick.
He will have a field day back in the AL East and playing 81 games in the most desirable RF in baseball for a LH pull hitter.
Another player that hasn’t been talked about more is Longoria. Can you see him with some threats playing around him? A team like the Astros could easily put a package together to pry him away. The Rays have such good pitching all they need is 2 or 3 players similar to Longoria and the missing link for the Stros is an established superstar jelling force like him. I would pursuit that type of target at the deadline.
The Rays are contending though and he has a really favorable contract. No way he’s moved unless its for like, Correa+McCullers+++, which ain’t happening.
Sounds like the Angels want to trade pitching for hitting but I’m not sure which pitcher the Angels were offering. Richards, Newcomb and Heaney are in all likelihood off limits and Weaver, Wilson, Shoemaker and Tropeano don’t have much trade value.
Oh man, a Flat No…that’s a completely different tone than No Sharp