A's have a big decision to make with Josh Reddick
The Oakland Athletics have a bit of a reputation for letting talented young players walk once they become too expensive for the team's preference.
Usually, that mentality precludes trades that stockpile the minor-league roster while causing many to scratch their heads (see last offseason's Josh Donaldson trade).
Looking ahead to 2016, Oakland now has another key decision to make: Is a contract extension for Josh Reddick something worth pursuing?
Reddick, who will turn 29 before Opening Day, had a strong season in 2015. He hit .272/.333/.449, stayed healthy enough to appear in 149 games and posted a WAR of 3.5 while again showcasing above-average defense in right field.
The A's recently came to terms with him on a one-year, $6.575 deal for 2016 to avoid arbitration, but he could be in line for a lucrative contract extension commensurate with his productivity.
Will that happen, though? It's unclear, as most things are with the A's when it comes to potential free agents. If the A's aren't able to field a more competitive team next season, Reddick would definitely be a hot trade commodity in the summer.
For what it's worth, Reddick told John Hickey of Inside Bay Area this week that he's open to discussing a potential extension with the A's:
“They told me last year they wanted to do something,’’ Reddick said. “Nothing’s happened yet. Now that we’ve got arbitration out of the way, maybe we’ll talk."
He added that he'd prefer to get something done before the regular season begins in April -- the sort of sentiment most players in his situation express.
As for the statistical turnaround that saw Reddick rely less on home runs and focus more on making contact (he struck out two more times in 149 games in 2015 than he did in 109 games in 2014), Reddick told Hickey that he's motivated to be even more consistent in 2016:
The A's could proceed in one of two directions with Reddick, and this situation will be something to watch as the regular season approaches.
“I’d like to build off of that,’’ Reddick said in looking forward. “I did a pretty good job of combing the end of 2014 with my 2012 season, but there’s more to do. I look at the number of free RBIs I left on the bases. It’s a difference between maybe going from 80 RBI to 90.
“I finally learned to go up there not trying to hit home runs. The home runs will come if I just play my game.’’
