Oakland Athletics: Should A’s Consider Trading Josh Reddick?

The Oakland Athletics Need to Be Realistic About Their Chances

Look, everyone loves the A’s never-quit spirit. Their whole theme is being a scrappy, small-market team who wins by any means necessary. But it seems that it would be a challenge for anyone to rationally, statistically show that the A’s have a decent shot at the playoffs.

Next season will be another story. Many people predicted Chris Bassitt to be a force in the rotation this year, and he had season-ending Tommy John surgery last week. Sean Manaea will have his rookie season (and all of the pressure that has come with it) behind him. Kendall Graveman will have another year of experience under his belt, and Jesse Hahn will hopefully have been forgiven for whatever he did that has resulted in his time in Triple-A this season.

Most importantly, however, all of the Athletics’ prospects – Matt Olson and Chad Pinder – will likely be poised to make their debut in 2017, if they don’t receive a September callup this season. The A’s will be rid of Coco Crisp‘s contract, and that will enable them to supplement young talent with one or two additional free agents.

There is simply no reason for the A’s to hang on to a valuable trade piece when they are out of the playoff race, and it looks like they’re headed in that direction. Unless something drastic changes in the next month, the A’s need to focus on the future, not 2016.

Next: Why the A's Should Deal Reddick: Reason #3