The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly contacted the Oakland Athletics about outfielder Josh Reddick as well as left-handed pitcher Rich Hill.
Since it’s common practice for every MLB team to check in with each other as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches, this report doesn’t mean both sides are close on a deal.
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons confirmed to MLB Network Radio last week that his team has discussed a potential pursuit of Hill.
This season the 36-year-old Hill sports a 9-3 record with a 2.25 ERA across 14 appearances. A blister on his pitching hand has kept him out since July 17, and he was recently placed on the disabled list.
On paper Reddick isn’t an obvious fit for a loaded Blue Jays outfield that features Jose Bautista, Kevin Pillar, Michael Saunders and the recently-acquired Melvin Upton Jr.
Reddick, 29, is batting .301/.373/.456 with eight home runs and 28 RBI in 67 games played this season. Like Hill, he’s a free agent after the season.
This alleged conversation between Toronto and Oakland represents just one of many possibilities for the Blue Jays as it would appear GM Ross Atkins isn’t quite done yet with Monday’s 4:00 p.m. ET deadline fast approaching.
