Athletics president of baseball operations Billy Beane says that his organization is “exploring” a new deal with outfielder Josh Reddick, as Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM tweets. Last we heard, late in February, the sides had not engaged in talks about an extension.
As things stand, Reddick is set to reach free agency after this season. He is playing on a $6.575MM salary in his final arbitration campaign. Reddick has also made clear that he doesn’t wish to continue talks into the season, so there are only a few weeks to try to nail down a pact.
The 29-year-old has accumulated a lengthy track record of solid production at the plate, compiling a .255/.317/.441 slash line with 83 homers since the start of 2011. Other than an off 2013, he’s been a fairly consistent contributor when healthy.
A significant piece of Reddick’s value has come from his glove; at times, he has registered as an elite defender, per leading defensive metrics UZR and DRS. He has trailed off more recently, although that could conceivably be a sample blip or off year rather than a trend.
Both sides have previously expressed interest in continuing the relationship into the future, but it remains to be seen whether they’ll see eye to eye with Reddick nearing the open market. He’s a difficult free agent to predict at this point, but could conceivably earn a big payday with a strong all-around 2016 season. Meanwhile, Oakland could choose instead to dangle a qualifying offer after the season or even put Reddick on the block this summer if things don’t break right.
I would prolly go q.o or trade route unless hes willing to do a 2 or 3 year extension. Anthying longer for his skillset doesnt make sense.
Agreed, also a monster 2016 makes him a $100M man – doesn’t really make sense for either team, honestly. Matt Olson can play RF for 4-5 years if needed, his bat is legit.
I doubt almost any type of year puts him over 100 mil.
Very true!
The team that’s going to trade for him would love an extension.
And so would we for our farm system.
It would definitely jack up his trade value.
Beane cannot be believed or trusted. He hedges on almost every comment he makes and doesn’t see players as actual people but as simply numerical bits of value. While I appreciate that he cannot offer the outrageous long-term contracts that teams like the Red Sox and Dodgers do, he will give $6MM to high-risk Rich Hill, who may be done after the first month. Reddick is a good player who actually wants to be in Oakland, yet I’m sure Beane will find a way to not get this done.
I’m an A’s fan and I don’t think he’s been consistent enough to do any type of significant deal. We don’t another Eric Chavez deal. His greatest asset May actually be in the clubhouse kind of like a Nick Swisher.
If they don’t hash out a extension his days are numbered in the green and gold.
Josh Reddick feels like the kind of player that is going to bottom out and become a salary burden in a hurry. Defense declines on a pretty consistent curve, and that lifetime OBP of .311 is downright scary. The A’s won’t be paying for much of a ceiling, but potentially a low floor.
I’ve always been a fan of Reddick but I can’t see him agreeing to a contract that makes sense for the A’s. I’d love to see Sonny locked up though