Cubs Rumors: Five outfield trade targets team could pursue

Jun 11, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Josh Reddick (22) flies out against the Texas Rangers in the fifth inning of their MLB baseball game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Reddick – Oakland Athletics

What makes the Oakland outfielder a likely Cubs target, in my opinion, is the familiarity president of baseball operations Theo Epstein has with him.

The relationship between the two can be traced back to their days in Boston, when Epstein headed the baseball operations there and Reddick was a draft pick of the Red Sox.

This year in Oakland, the 28-year-old Reddick has been a bright spot for a struggling Athletics ball club, batting .284/.340/.451 through Saturday’s action. Last year, he bounced back after a horrendous 2013 campaign, but he’s on-pace for one of the best seasons of his big league career here in 2015.

Reddick would give the Cubs a left-handed bat with some pop, who has valuable postseason experience he can bring to the table, as well. Epstein has shown a tendency to go after players he knows well, and given these clubs got together on a deal last year, I don’t think it’s thinking outside the box to assume it could happen again.

Next: Carlos Gomez