Josh Reddick, Astros agree to four-year, $52 million deal
Josh Reddick has already found a new home with the Houston Astros.
Josh Reddick developed into a slugger for the Oakland Athletics, posting two years of 20 or more home runs through four-and-a-half seasons. With the A’s going nowhere in 2016, they moved him to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a prospect package.
Reddick didn’t do much for the NL West champions, though, with a .258 batting average and just two home runs through 47 games. An expiring contract also made it likely that he would bolt for free agency.
Well, just days into the MLB offseason, Reddick has become one of the first players to find a new home. According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo, the 29-year-old is joining the Houston Astros on a four-year, $52 million deal. This would be a return to the AL West, a place with which he’s already very familiar.
Sources: Astros have agreed to a deal with free agent outfielder Josh Reddick, pending a physical.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 17, 2016
Sources: Josh Reddick's deal is four years for $52 million.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 17, 2016
This move caps off a busy day for the Astros, who also made a trade with the New York Yankees. They acquired All-Star catcher Brian McCann for two prospects. He’ll join what looks to be a formidable lineup for 2017 that is stacked with young talent. ESPN’s Buster Olney outlined this below.
Possible HOU lineup in '17: RF Springer, 3B Bregman, 2B Altuve, SS Correa, LF Reddick, 1B Gurriel, C McCann, DH Gattis, CF Marisnick.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 17, 2016
After a disappointing 2016 season, the Astros have already gone to the free agent and trade markets to improve their roster. They have a tough task rivaling the Texas Rangers, who had the American League’s best record. Filling in needs this early, especially with power bats, should help Houston try to win the AL West.
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There is still plenty of the offseason to go, though, which means a handful of trades and free agent signings are still going to take place. The Josh Reddick is the early splash that should get things going for the other teams, especially the Rangers. The Astros may not even be done either.