Making Reed the everyday shortstop was one of the changes made by new manager Joe Morgan in 1988 that turned the team around, leading to a division title. Reed finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting, batting .293 and scoring 60 runs in 338 at-bats while providing solid defense. Selected by the Colorado Rockies on November 17, 1992 in the expansion draft, Reed was dealt that same day to the Dodgers for Rudy Seanez. There he continued his stellar glovework, leading the league in fielding percentage the next two seasons.
Reed signed with San Diego in April 1995, and quickly became a local hero among teammates and fans. GM Kevin Towers dealt him to Detroit after the 1996 season to make room at second for Quilvio Veras, drawing the ire of Reed’s legion of supporters. Ken Caminiti‘s assertion that Reed’s defense had been essential to the 1996 division title may have been valid, since the Pods failed to make the playoffs the following year.
