Josh Reddick Enters a Make or Break Year with Oakland A's

Josh Reddick was a part of the Andrew Bailey trade between the Oakland A's and Boston Red Sox before the 2012 season.  At the time it was seen as a typical star-for-prospects trade by Oakland's general manager, Billy Beane.

That was the thought before Reddick smashed 32 home runs in his first year with the A's and brought a gold glove to Oakland's outfield in 2012.  Reddick's play was a factor in helping Oakland reach the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

Then came the 2013 season and with it came heightened expectations for the right-fielder as well as the rest of the team.

In sharp contrast to 2012, the A's and Reddick had a disappointing season in 2013 that ended with yet another loss in the ALDS for the A's.  Another reason for disappointment in 2013 was the decline in Reddick's production at the plate.

Reddick hit 20 fewer home runs in 2013 than in 2012 as he went form 32 to 12 and several of those home runs came in the same series at Toronto.  There was also a drop in Reddick's batting average from .242 in 2012 to .226 in 2013.  However, Reddick remained steady with his on-base percentage as that increased from .305 to .307.

There should be an asterisk next to Reddick's 2013 stats because he played most of the season with a wrist injury that landed him on the 15-day DL twice.  Reddick also underwent surgery on that wrist recently and is expected back for spring training.

Reddick can fall back on the wrist injury as a reason for his struggles in 2013 but he will have to return to his 2012 form to prove that.  If Reddick does not return to his previous form then he will make his 2012 season look like a one-hit wonder.

Pardon the cliche, but in 2014 the real Josh Reddick will stand up.