Houston Astros Sign Free Agent Josh Reddick
By Matt Veasey
The Houston Astros dipped into free agency by signing a veteran outfielder to help support their youngish lineup.
The Houston Astros finished a disappointing 84-78 in the 2016 season. That left the club in third place in the NL West Division. This came a year after they had returned to the postseason for the first time in a decade.
After finishing just two games off the division pace in 2015 and nearly upending the eventual world champion Kansas City Royals in the ALDS, the Astros had entered 2016 as popular World Series picks.
With Carlos Gomez and Colby Rasmus each leaving as free agents, the signing of Reddick helps set the Houston 2017 outfield.
The likelihood now is that George Springer will move to center field, with Reddick taking over in right field. That would leave the left field position open for competition in the spring, barring a further free agent signing or trade.
Following the signing, Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow was quoted by Hunter Atkins with the Houston Chronicle.
"“Regardless of how he did it – hitting 30 home runs one year, increasing his on-base percentage another year, his arm on defense – you can nitpick this year he didn’t do this or he didn’t do this, but he’s a good, everyday player that’s going to fit in very well.”"
REDDICK’S CAREER TO DATE
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
In parts of eight big league seasons, Reddick has a .255 career average with 96 homers. His one big season came back in 2012. That year, Reddick banged 32 homers with 85 RBI and 85 runs scored while winning a Gold Glove Award.
This past season, Reddick began with the Oakland A’s for whom he played five seasons. He was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline along with pitcher Rich Hill for three prospects.
Reddick hit for a .281/.345/.405 slash with 10 homers, 37 RBI, and 53 runs scored with the Athletics and Dodgers this past season.
Next: Astros Player of the Year: Jose Altuve
The deal with Houston is four years and $52 million, paying Reddick $13 million per season. So with that deal the team is certainly committed to him as a starter for the next few years.