Josh Reddick of the Oakland Athletics is set to become a free agent after the 2016 MLB season, but the 28-year-old outfielder is open to negotiating a contract extension. John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group tweeted on Sunday that Reddick wants a multi-year deal and is willing to listen to the Athletics.

John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle noted that even though Reddick is open to an extension, he does not want the negotiations to happen during the season because it will be a distraction for him and the team. The Athletics have more than two months before Opening Day to discuss a new deal with Reddick.

Oakland Athletics finished the 2015 season in last place in the American League and fourth-worst in the entire MLB with a 68-94 record. Many Athletics fans were worried that team president Billy Beane will be trading Reddick along with ace Sonny Gray.

However, Beane told Gammons Daily back in October that they will not shop two of their stars this offseason.

"Trading Gray is not something I think we could do. We have to put a representative product on the field and continue to dream we get a ballpark. I just cannot see us trading Gray or Josh Reddick," Beane said.

"Josh is a good player and he's still young, We've always liked having him here. Talented guy, does everything well. We're all very pleased with the year Josh had," the team president added via the SF Chronicle.

 

MLB Trade Rumors speculated that Reddick will be looking for more than an annual salary of $6.5 million, which is more than the arbitration deal he signed last season. He could be looking for a Brett Gardner-type deal that the New York Yankees gave before the 2014 season.

Gardner was signed to a three-year, $52 million deal but has been part of trade rumors in the past few months. His scouting reports include an above average speed, a good on-base percentage and his defensive abilities at center field.

Reddick could also hit for power and has a strong outfield arm. Although he is not a superstar, he is still in his prime and is considered very valuable to the Athletics' roster.

The Georgia native was acquired by Oakland from the Boston Red Sox back in 2011 in the Andrew Bailey trade. In four seasons with the Athletics, he has a batting average of .251 with 76 home runs and 272 RBIs. He also won the Gold Glove and received AL MVP votes back in 2012, per Baseball Reference.