Report: Cubs looking at Reddick to bolster outfield

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly mulling a run at Josh Reddick, the Oakland Athletics outfielder who was drafted by Theo Epstein during their tenure together in Boston.

The report comes from FOX Sports' Jon Morosi, who says the team is showing interest in acquiring the 29-year-old slugger to bolster their outfield and lineup for the stretch run.

Though the Cubs have played better since the break to reclaim the best record in the majors, their outfield situation remains somewhat of an Achilles heel, with Dexter Fowler (hamstring) having been sidelined since the middle of June and slugger Kyle Schwarber (knee) out for the season.

Meanwhile, Jason Heyward, the club's prized offseason acquisition, continues to struggle offensively in his first season on the North Side. The three-time Gold Glover is hitting just .234/.325/.323 with four homers in 85 games this season, and has managed just one hit in 19 plate appearances since the All-Star break.

Contract negotiations between Reddick, a free agent at season's end, and the Athletics have stalled this year, and it's believed that Oakland will entertain offers for the left-handed hitting right fielder. Reddick, who missed about six weeks after fracturing his thumb, has been hitting his stride of late, posting an .850 OPS since July 2 with six homers in 16 games this month.

Selected in the 17th round of the 2006 draft by the Red Sox, Reddick has spent the past five seasons in Oakland, and entered the 2016 campaign averaging 19 homers and 22 doubles per year for the Athletics.