Transcript: A’s general manager David Forst on Reddick, Hill deal

A’s general manager David Forst talked to local reporters by phone Monday afternoon after the team’s trade with the Dodgers.

On the last-place team’s decision to trade Josh Reddick and Rich Hill:

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.

At the end of the day, it was clear we were not going to be able to get where they wanted to be from a contract standpoint.

[...] we were at the point where both players were in demand and the package we got from the Dodgers, we felt had the best interests of the organization in mind.

Forst addressed the prospects Oakland received from the Dodgers, pitchers Frankie Montas, Grant Holmes and Jharel Cotton:

At which point, he was shut down completely from throwing to let that heal because surgery was deemed unnecessary.

Only 20 years old on the Cal League with a starter’s repertoire and a young man with a chance to move quickly and potentially be in the big leagues at a very young age.

[...] Jharel Cotton after a slow start because of some lingering things has pitched very well in a starter’s role at Triple-A and will continue in that role for us at Nashville.

Forst mentioned that pitching was the strength of the Dodgers’ minor-league system and went on to say:

Forst on Montas, who throws 100 mph when healthy, as a starter rather than a reliever:

[...] this is a special arm and special talent.

[...] we’re at square one now with his durability and endurance … but we would like to see him as a starter and coming into the 2017 season that’s the role we foresee.

Rich Hill’s blister - did it affect his trade value?

I should say with Rich I know there was a report we were having parallel discussions between trading and talking about possibly extending Rich and that is true, he pitched great for us.

The timing was awkward and teams seemed to be waiting to see if he was going to pitch last weekend but at no point did it seem like the conversation stopped because he had a blister.

Look, the one trade we made was because we felt we got significant value and made a significant contribution to the future of the organization.

We’ve seen Brett throughout his minor-league career be able to play all three outfield positions very well and provide power from the right side.