Orioles Decline Mark Reynolds' Option

[Old Sneakers]

skipping the whole 3 HR issue...

I am conflicted with regards to Mark Reynolds. He's a popular team member and capable of huge amounts of power. But the strikeouts and inability to get on base is just ghastly. He did everything that the team asked of him last year he just isn't the right player for big money.

I'm with the others and hopeful that Chris Davis gets a large sum of playing time to prove he can be at least an average 1B. However a year from now, I would hardly be shocked if neither of these two are part of the equation.

[ofahn]

I am conflicted with regards to Mark Reynolds

What I find most frustrating about him is that his problem is easily identified and not that difficult to fix. He just needs to adjust his approach at the plate so that he will take outside pitches to RF. When he was injure earlier in the season he commented that he HAD to do that because he was UNABLE to pull those pitches. His BA went UP. Then he healed, he was able to try to pull everything, and his average went DOWN.

I know there's a DUH in there somewhere.

[Matt P]

Nothing unexpected as we all knew they wouldn't accept the option.

The real question is will they be able to come to terms on a 2 or 3 year deal rather than have to pay him 8.9 million next year on top of the 500k they just gave to him. I think at this point it's either 2 or 3 year deal or Reynolds won't be on the team next year.

[thezeroes]

From what I could find on baseball reference this is the orioles list of 3 Homer players since 1958 Date and opponent
Nick Markakis 8/22/2006 MIN
Albert Belle 7/25/1999 ANA
Roberto Alomar 4/26/1997 BOS
Cal Ripken 5/28/1996 SEA
Randy Milligan 6/9/1990 NYY
Juan Beniquez 6/12/1986 NYY
Lee Lacy 6/8/1986 NYY
Eddie Murray 8/26/1985 CAL
Dan Ford 7/20/1983 SEA
Eddie Murray 9/14/1980 TOR
Eddie Murray 1979-08-29 (2) MIN
Don Baylor 7/2/1975 DET
Bobby Grich 6/18/1974 MIN
Paul Blair 4/29/1970 CHW
Curt Blefary 1967-06-06 (1) CAL
Boog Powell 8/15/1966 BOS
Boog Powell 6/27/1964 WSA
Boog Powell 8/10/1963 WSA

[ofahn]

The real question is will they be able to come to terms on a 2 or 3 year deal

IMO a multi year contract with Reynolds would be foolish unless he's willing to adjust his approach at the plate.

[Matt P]

IMO a multi year contract with Reynolds would be foolish unless he's willing to adjust his approach at the plate.

Trust me, we all know. You've posted it multiple times in multiple threads.

[ofahn]

Trust me, we all know. You've posted it multiple times in multiple threads.

There is safety in redundancy. It's the former special operator in me.

[birdwatcher55]

IMO a multi year contract with Reynolds would be foolish unless he's willing to adjust his approach at the plate.

I would agree and perhaps that is why Swisher to Baltimore is getting more play of late

[ofahn]

I would agree and perhaps that is why Swisher to Baltimore

Yes, let's avoid making one dumb move by simply making another dumb move.

[birdwatcher55]

Swisher would be very productive here offensively. I happen to love Reynolds' glove but his inability to make contact really was a drag on the offense. I would not hand him a Werth type deal as rumored but if he got reasonable he would be a big upgrade over Reynolds.

[ofahn]

Swisher would be very productive here offensively. I happen to love Reynolds' glove but his inability to make contact really was a drag on the offense. I would not hand him a Werth type deal as rumored but if he got reasonable he would be a big upgrade over Reynolds.

Perhaps you should make it your personal mission to convince Swisher to come here on a ONE YEAR contract. It might be an interesting winter.

[OriolesRedskins28]

The Mark Reynolds that learns to take the outside pitch to RF probably will.

Ding ding ding. If he would do that more often he would be SO much better. He has the power to do it too...

[ofahn]

If he would do that more often he would be SO much better. He has the power to do it too...

The difference between the Mark Reynolds that just had his option declined and the Mark Reynolds that could be an All Star is the simple acceptance of a reality that a blind person could see from the video and statistics. It's just SO damn frustrating to see him trying to pull a pitch that he SHOULD know by now he can't pull.