They vowed to improve their offense this offseason and the Baltimore Orioles have done just that with their acquisition of third baseman Mark Reynolds from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Reynolds only hit .198 last season, while striking out 211 times and blasting 32 home runs. Baltimore traded relievers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio to get the power hitter.
He is the middle of the lineup hitter that the O’s have desperately needed for the last few seasons. Reynolds will provide protection for Nick Markakis and Adam Jones especially if he can cut down on his strikeouts.
The 27-year-old third baseman has had positives to go along with his high strikeout total. He walked 83 times in 499 at-bats and his walk totals have increased each year since 2007. If Reynolds can cut down on his strikeouts he will be very dangerous in the O’s lineup. However, it appears the Birds aren’t finished with just obtaining Reynolds
Baseball’s Winter Meetings are always full of rumors, but it appears the Orioles are apart of those rumors this offseason.
Tuesday afternoon rumors were swirling that the O’s were ready to trade outfielder Nolan Reimold and reliever Alfredo Simon to the Tampa Bay Rays for shortstop Jason Bartlett. At the end of the day it seems like that deal is falling though.
There was also a rumor the O’s are interested in free-agent first baseman Adam LaRoche for next season. LaRoche wouldn’t be the worst acquisition to play first and his defense would be more solid than Luke Scott or Ty Wigginton.
Who would you like to see the O’s sign? What’s their biggest remaining need that must be filled before Spring Training?
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