Mets sign Reddick to Minor League deal

August 14th, 2021

NEW YORK -- Seeking additional outfield depth for the stretch run, the Mets officially signed veteran outfielder to a Minor League deal on Friday. Reddick reported to Triple-A Syracuse and hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in his first game.

A veteran of 13 seasons with the Red Sox, A’s, Dodgers, Astros and D-backs, Reddick is a career .262 hitter with 146 home runs. His best season came back in 2012, when the lefty swinger slugged 32 homers while driving in 85 runs for Oakland. Reddick went on to win a World Series with the Astros in 2017, among 74 career postseason games.

More recently, the 34-year-old Reddick hit .258/.285/.371 in 54 games this year before the D-backs released him in an effort to give their younger players more opportunities. Those numbers included a .755 OPS against right-handed pitchers, whom he has always hit better throughout his career.

In Syracuse, Reddick joins an outfield that also includes veteran Mason Williams and prospect Khalil Lee. He gives the Mets coverage in the event of an injury to starting outfielders Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo or Dominic Smith, or backups Kevin Pillar and Albert Almora Jr.

Reddick, who would be eligible for the postseason roster should the Mets qualify, could also give the Mets another option off the bench once rosters expand to 28 players in September.