Hard decision for A’s to move mainstay Josh Reddick

For the past five-plus years, Josh Reddick was one of the few constants with the A’s, a rock in right field, a solid middle-of-the-order presence and one of the team’s most popular players of recent vintage.

On Monday, Oakland said goodbye to Reddick, who had played more games in an A’s uniform than anyone since the start of the 2012 season.

Josh in a lot of ways has been the face of the franchise and really connected with the fans, everyone who works here, the staff, and I can’t say enough about Josh’s time in an Oakland A’s uniform. ...

Reddick hit 32 homers and won a Gold Glove in 2012, the A’s out-of-nowhere division-winning season, and though he hasn’t quite gotten back to that level, he remained a major cog for a team that also went to the postseason in 2013 and 2014.

“You look back and those three playoff seasons in a row, Josh was an intricate part of that,” A’s starter Sonny Gray said.

Reddick’s big arm and bigger personality made him a hit with the right-field-bleacher fans — he even attended tailgates with them on occasion — but he was beloved by most Oakland fans.

Oakland could have made both men $16.7 million qualifying offers after the season and received compensation picks had they left as free agents.

Montas, 23, had a 2.25 ERA in just seven appearances at Double-A and Triple-A after offseason rib surgery; he is currently out with a stress reaction in the same area, and Forst said he is unlikely to pitch again this season.

“I think the A’s did well; they got three legitimate pitching prospects,” said one scout who sees the Dodgers’ upper minor-league levels frequently.

Among the players they got in return were Sean Manaea, who is in the big-league rotation, and Daniel Mengden, who had a strong June with Oakland before a rough July sent him back to Triple-A Nashville.

The A’s also spun one of their deadline acquisitions, Jacob Nottingham, into outfielder Khris Davis in a deal with the Brewers.

The previous year, while in first place, the A’s made several big trades in an effort to shore up the roster for the postseason, acquiring Jeff Samardzija and Jon Lester but dealing outfielder Yoenis Céspedes in the process.

Like Hill, he appeared to be a potential All-Star until getting injured and missing six weeks with a fractured thumb.

Infielder Tyler Ladendorf is likely to be recalled to take Reddick’s roster spot Tuesday, and Eibner will come up when eligible next week; Jesse Hahn is expected to take Hill’s rotation spot.

Outfielder Coco Crisp, Valencia and infielder Jed Lowrie are potential trade targets for contenders looking for reliable hitters.