Mark Reynolds is the newest member of the Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles fans that like the nickname “The Sheriff” are devastated.
I always hated that nickname, but admittedly I will miss Reynolds in Baltimore.
The power hitting first baseman signed a one-year $6 million deal with the Tribe according to MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli. He batted .221/.335/.429 with 23 homers for the O’s last season. Those critical of Reynolds always pointed to his high strikeout total, 159 K’s in 135 games in 2012. I’d always argue with people that he provides strong defense at first base and a decent amount of walks, 73.
Ghiroli reports that the Orioles never made Reynolds an offer after declining his option and then non-tendering him. Apparently, he wasn’t a part of their plans moving forward.
Right now, Chris Davis is slotted at first base. I prefer him as the team’s DH. Perhaps the Orioles will continue to target someone for first via a trade. We heard rumblings about Justin Morneau at the Winter Meetings.
Or then again the O’s might try to go on the cheap this season and hope they catch the genie in the bottle for two straight years. Not a good plan moving forward.
I don’t like this move. Davis looked terrible playing first last year. I wanted Reynolds back. He seemed to show gold glove potential at first base and his eye popping numbers against the Yankees and Red Sox were enough to overshadow his inadequacies with the bat. I especially don’t like this given that there is no solid option at first right now and the Orioles will likely have to overpay for the free agent options that are out there.
Agreed OsFan. They probably won’t overpay for the free agent option, they will go on the cheap and have Davis or Connor Jackson play first. They will take the momentum from last season and drive it into the ground.
This doesn’t matter now does it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,you all know the O’s will be down the ladder again this year , you know it was a one year fluke , we all enjoyed it but it was a short term deal,,,,,,,,,,,,,third place at best , most likely a fourth place finish is on the offering………………..