August 19, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Josh Reddick (16) hits a two-run home run scoring catcher Derek Norris (36, not pictured) against the New York Mets during the eighth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Mets 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
New York Mets
The Mets and A’s have already made one trade this season, so why not another? Reddick fits what they need – a powerful, consistent bat for the outfield. Despite calling up rookie Michael Conforto, the Mets are still short in the outfield. Reddick’s home run potential is exactly what they need. While the Mets have been reluctant to take on big-trade risk in the past, Reddick is cheaper than most other outfield options, and comes with an extra year of control, which might make him worth whatever the A’s are asking.
The Return: The Mets gave the A’s their 15th-ranked prospect for about two dozen innings of Clippard. What would they give up for a year and half of Reddick? The A’s should talk them into Gabriel Ynoa, their 11th-ranked prospect. Ynoa is a hard-throwing right hander with a knack for putting the ball exactly where he wants it, as he’s walked just 22 batters in over 115 innings. Hitters are batting .249 against him, and he has a 7-7 record with a 3.75 ERA in Double-A this season.
Would they be willing to give up both Ynoa and Michael Fulmer, the 12th-overall prospect in their organization? Fulmer has a terrific fastball, and a slider that can generate a lot of swinging strikes. In 80 innings with Double-A this season, he has a 2.03 record as a starter, but he would almost certainly be better utilized in a bullpen role at the major league level, possibly even as a closer. Fulmer and Ynoa would be a terrific hall, and the A’s would be crazy to pass that up to hang on to Reddick.
The Flaw in the Plan: The Mets are not exactly loaded on prospects, and the Oakland Athletics would certainly want more than New York is willing to give up. That extra year of team control means that Reddick will be expensive, perhaps even far more expensive that he’s worth as a platoon hitter. But, Reddick is also still a lot cheaper than many other options, so perhaps the Mets will see him as a comparative bargain instead.
Next: Reddick Destinations: Los Angeles Angels