Talks about a possible contract extension between the Oakland Athletics and outfielder Josh Reddick have not yet resumed, making a possible trade before the August 1st trading deadline more likely.

Oakland currently sits at 38-51 on the season, 15.5 games back of first place in the American League West, and 12 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for the 2nd wild card spot in the American League, which leaves Oakland likely to deal players like Billy Butler, Danny Valencia, and others.

The Athletics previously offered Reddick a three-year, $36 million extension during spring training, but Reddick’s camp countered back with a four-year, $56 million offer, and the talks broke down due to Oakland not wanting to commit four years to Reddick, who will hit the age of 30 in February

The Cubs, Dodgers, Nationals, and the Blue Jays are expected to be interested in Reddick, and now the Royals are joining the interest group, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle:

Reddick is drawing plenty of trade interest, with the Royals, in particular, following him closely. Others to have scouted him include the Giants, Cubs, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Nationals, along with a handful of non-contenders looking at him as a free-agent option for next season.

The Royals are in current need of outfielders with center fielder Lorenzo Cain on the disabled list, and the glaring need for a bat in right field. Trading for Reddick would give Kansas City an outfield of Alex Gordon, Cain, and Reddick.

Reddick is making $6.5 million this season, making his contract easy to trade for on a team-friendly contract. The 29-year-old right fielder is slashing .295/.369/.426 with 5 home runs and 20 runs batted in over the course of 53 games so far this season.

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