Rob Long: Reunion With Reynolds For Orioles?
What we know is the Cleveland Indians designated Mark Reynolds for assignment on Thursday. We also now that now the Indians have 10 days to either trade, release or outright Reynolds. With the pennant race heating up, we don't expect Mark Reynolds to be "outrighted", or to clear waivers for him to get sent to the minors.
Jim Bowden of ESPN has reported that the Baltimore Orioles are interested in reacquiring Reynolds. This is a head scratcher. Mark Reynolds is the same man that the O's decided to ultimately part ways with after destroying the New York Yankees batting .294 with 7 homers and knocking in 14 runs in 15 games last season. That wasn't good enough after the 2012 season so why should it be good enough now?
Chris Davis didn't hit .300 with 41 home runs and 106 runs batted in last season. He does this season and they have over a month to play. Adam Jones batted .258 with runners in scoring position in 2012. This year, he's hitting .313 in that same situation. The offense has struggled but they been better overall without Mark Reynolds in the lineup. Meanwhile, Reynolds has been designated for assignment because he hasn't done anything on offense since May. What does Mark Reynolds add to the Orioles lineup at this point in the season? My guess is very little. This offense has evolved without Reynolds adding more "Ks" for the bottom third of the order. Keep in mind, the Cleveland Indians are in the middle of a play off push and they let a power hitter who's only 29 years old.
