Josh Reddick apologizes to Bob Melvin, not front office, after platoon comments

On July 3, 2015, in Curve Balls, Oakland

The Athletics are currently in last place in the AL West at 37-45, but that isn't Josh Reddick's fault. The team's right fielder is hitting .287/.348/.469 (127 OPS+) with 11 home runs, 49 RBI, 26 walks and 30 strikeouts this season. He's been great.

And yet, despite those numbers, Reddick regularly sits against lefties because he is hitting only .152/.222/.227 against southpaws in 2015.

Josh Reddick apologizes to Bob Melvin, not front office, after platoon comments

Understandably, Reddick is frustrated by being platooned, and on Thursday he voiced his displeasure during a pregame interview.

“I have no idea (who makes that decision). It doesn't come from anywhere in this clubhouse," Reddick said, per CSNBayArea.com. "Everybody knows what situations our general manager puts up there. I couldn't tell you what the difference is between me starting against one guy and not starting against another guy. … There's probably so many numbers they could dig into their computers with and try to find one just to keep me out of the lineup. “I know (manager Bob Melvin is) in there fighting for me. The other day I was supposed to play against (Jorge) De La Rosa, and Bob texts me at around 1:30 and told me he had been ‘trumped,' was the word he used. I understood right away. I know it's not Bob. He's fighting for me to be in there every night. It still frustrates me beyond belief when I don't play."

Clearly the decision to sit Reddick against lefties is coming from above Melvin. GM Billy Beane is well known for getting involved in daily lineup decisions, and Reddick's comments were directed at the front office, not Melvin.

Given Beane's reputation, he probably doesn't care if a player is upset with one of his decisions. He can't afford to be, really. Either way, Reddick apologized to Melvin on Friday and said he didn't intend to drag him into this.

Melvin, being the good leader he is, took the blame for Reddick's frustraton and said the decision to sit him against De La Rosa earlier this week was a miscommunication.

I'm certain Reddick is not the only player frustrated with being platooned, either on the A's and elsewhere around the league, though going public with comments like that is never good. It's an unnecessary distraction. Beane's going to do what's best for the team, and, given his numbers, sitting Reddick against lefties is for the greater good.

Reddick, by the way, is a prime trade candidate if Oakland decides to sell at the trade deadline. He's having a great year and will be a free agent after 2016. Now's the time to get maximum value.

Mike Axisa/CBS Sports

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