The Los Angeles Dodgers addressed multiple needs in one fell swoop Monday by acquiring starting pitcher Rich Hill and outfielder Josh Reddick from the Oakland Athletics. While the Dodgers’ interest in both players was noted, neither was linked with much frequency to the club in trade rumors.
That instead belonged to the likes of Tampa Bay Rays starters Chris Archer and Matt Moore, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce, and Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale. Moore was traded to the San Francisco Giants, and Bruce the New York Mets.
However, it was reported the Dodgers and Athletics discussed a package deal and individual trades for Hill and Reddick.
Los Angeles sent pitching prospects Jharel Cotton, Grant Holmes and Frankie Montas to Oakland to bolster their rotation and lineup.
Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi said satisfying multiple needs with one trade came as a benefit, according to Jon Weisman of Dodger Insider:
“We really wanted to add another bat to the lineup and bring in a starting pitcher, and to be able to accomplish both of those goals in the same deal was really helpful.”
Zaidi added he believes Hill and Reddick will each make an impact:
“Josh Reddick is a two-way player. He has power. He’s a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder. I think he’s gonna help this team a lot. I think he was as good as any position player available in this trade market. Rich Hill as a starting pitcher was just from a pure performance perspective as good or better as any starting pitcher traded today or in the last week or so. I think both of these guys can help us a lot, and I do feel like we were aggressive in going out and getting these guys.”
The lone question mark with Hill is the blister on the middle finger of his throwing hand. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list July 30, retroactive to July 20. Hill is eligible to be reinstated Thursday, but it’s unclear when he’ll be activated.
Aside from the nagging issue, the 36-year-old southpaw has quietly been one of the better pitchers this season. Hill is 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA, 2.53 FIP, 1.09 WHIP, and leads American League pitchers (minimum 75 innings pitched) in ERA.
What’s more, under the same qualifier, Hill ranks second in opponents’ batting average (.201), and ninth in WHIP and strikeouts per nine innings (10.66).
Reddick is enjoying a career year after missing six weeks with a fractured left thumb. He’s batting .296/.368/.449 with eight home runs, 28 RBIs, a .348 wOBA, 124 OPS+ and 121 wRC+.
Reddick has been particularly effective against right-handed pitching, hitting .341/.408/.547 with all 20 of his extra-base hits (11 doubles, one triple, eight home runs).
