Houston Astros: Josh Reddick will go away with little fanfare

The tumultuous tenure of Josh Reddick in a Houston Astros uniform has come down to its final 60 games.

In the offseason prior to the 2017 baseball season, the Houston Astros were looking for a veteran presence to pair with their talented youth movement. Josh Reddick was coming off an impressive NLCS with the Los Angeles Dodgers where he hit .364. The two agreed to a four year/$52M deal.

Reddick paid immediate dividends, hitting .314 and driving in 82 runs on the World Series winning team. A title since tarnished with the realization the Astros used an intricate technology aided, trash can banging, sign-stealing scam.

The following year, his numbers fell off drastically. Reddick hit just .245 with an OPS just over .700, and his RBIs were nearly cut in half.

The decline of Reddick also coincided with the rise of a couple of prospects, who were kept in the minor leagues while Reddick played out his contract.

Kyle Tucker had a rough cup of coffee with the Astros in 2018, though he seemed to right the ship last year and was even put on the postseason roster. He seems ready to play every day and needs to get regular at-bats as to not impede his growth as a hitter.

Myles Straw who was called up as an emergency fill in last year is also primed for more playing time as well. His power numbers do not equate to those of Reddick’s (even with Reddick’s power numbers in decline), though he offers more speed and versatility across the field.

Michael Brantley enters free agency after this year and George Springer can test the market for the first time as well. The Astros could entertain the idea of them returning or look to entirely recreate the outfield. Reddick will gladly be taken off the 40-man roster at the end of the season.

Whether the Astros are ready to put youngsters in the lineup or try to find someone in free agency, it’s a certainty Josh Reddick will not return to the Bayou City after this shortened sixty game season.

Reddick did his part for the team, the veteran leadership and easy going attitude in the clubhouse (we’ll never forget his American Flag decorated thong as he celebrated the title in style), though his on the field production has waned recently. His most notable contributions have been the Ric Flair “Woooooooo” he brings to the ball field each day.

I’m thinking it’s time for the Houston Astros to move on and distance themselves from the Josh Reddick era.