The Los Angeles Dodgers addressed multiple needs in one fell swoop prior to the Aug. 1 non-waiver deadline by acquiring Rich Hill and Josh Reddick in a five-player trade with the Oakland Athletics.
Hill and Reddick both got off to a rough start with the Dodgers, as Hill was unable to take the mound for three weeks due to blister issues, and Reddick struggled at the plate. His prolonged slump was magnified by the fact that Yasiel Puig was demoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
While Reddick had trouble gaining any traction, Puig was tearing the cover off the ball. A victim of some bad luck, Reddick was 0-for-15 with three strikeouts before collecting a hit in his fourth game with the Dodgers.
His first RBI came Aug. 31, contributing to the Dodgers’ improbable comeback against the Colorado Rockies, and providing a spark for the 29-year-old.
Then in September, Reddick had a modest four-game hitting streak that was part of a stretch where he had at least one hit in seven of eight games. September was undeniably Reddick’s best month with the Dodgers despite the fact that he often platooned with Puig.
The success was largely attributed to finally settling in and growing comfortable in a new environment. Reddick appeared in all but one of the Dodgers’ 11 postseason games, making eight starts. He went 8-for-26 with two RBI, one walk and two strikeouts.
2016 Highlight
In seven games (six starts) from Aug. 29 to Sept. 9, Reddick strung together a seven-game hitting streak behind a blistering .542/.560/.750 slash line with two doubles, one home run and three RBI. He had four multi-hit games during that span.
Outside of that, Reddick had a memorable game against the rockies on Sept. 24, going 3-for-4 with one double, a grand slam and season-high five RBI.
2017 Outlook
After reportedly drawing interest from the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays, Reddick reportedly agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract with the Houston Astros.
He returns to the American League, where outside of the second half of this season, Reddick spent his entire career (Boston Red Sox and Athletics).
