Detroit Tigers: Potential Outfield Additions

Josh Reddick

Another rental option, Josh Reddick would be a potential impact addition acquired at a cut-rate cost.

Reddick is currently on the disabled list, but when he returns, he’d make an ideal addition to the Detroit roster.

Since arriving in Oakland in the Andrew Bailey deal, the outfielder has become one of baseball’s most complete players. The 29-year-old is a former Gold-Glove winner and an excellent fielder in right field. Reddick also hits in the middle of the A’s lineup and posted impressive numbers last season.

The former Red Sox player hit .272 while adding 77 RBI, 25 doubles, 20 home runs and 10 stolen bases. What’s more, he only struck out 65 times in 526 at-bats. To put that in perspective, Victor Martinez has averaged 52 strikeouts in an average of 535 at-bats over the last three seasons.

Reddick has continued to impress this season. In 41 games, he’s posted a career-highs in batting average (.322), on-base percentage (.394) and slugging percentage (.466). The outfielder has also added six doubles, five home runs, four stolen bases and 18 RBI. He’s only struck out 22 times and has chipped in with 18 base on balls.

In terms of a return, it is hard to predict what Oakland would want.

On one hand, Reddick could cost a significant return considering his track record and current production. On the other hand, Reddick is a free agent after the season, and Oakland may want to cash in now and get something in return rather than risk losing him for nothing in the winter. The A’s did this last season with players like Scott Kazmir, Tyler Clippard and Ben Zobrist.

Next: Tigers Front Office Has New Approach

With Reddick hitting free agency this winter, the cost to acquire him would be likely comparatively lower than if he was controlled for more years. With so many high-upside young pitchers in organization, Detroit could deal from a position of depth and send Jairo Labourt, Ziomek or Kubitza and a lower-level prospect to Oakland.