Reynolds wants another crack at 3B

[JTrea81]

http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111216&content_id=26183892&vkey=news_bal&c_id=bal

"I wasn't out of shape and fat last year, but I think I fell into weightlifting with Brady, and I was so into it and about putting up the heaviest weight I could. [i was] kind of going crazy with it," Reynolds said. "I kind of lost sight of my goal to be a baseball player. I'm not a professional weightlifter, so I'm just trying to stay strong and agile and mobile."

More mobility on the field would certainly be welcomed, particularly if it translates into better defense. Reynolds' 31 errors led the American League last season, and it tied him for third most in a single season in Orioles history. Of the 31 errors, 26 were at third base, making it hard to argue with Reynolds when he calls his performance in 114 games at the hot corner subpar.

"I wouldn't put me over there after what I did last year," said Reynolds, who will start taking ground balls in January and is motivated to prove that his fielding performance in 2011 was an anomaly.

He committed five errors in 44 games at first base, moving over there after Derrek Lee was traded to Pittsburgh and Chris Davis hit the disabled list. Right now, Reynolds looks penciled in to play first, with Davis and Matt Antonelli competing for the third-base job. While his role is far from set in stone as the team continues to make offseason additions, Reynolds hopes to be prove that he's a better fielder than what he showed in his first year in Baltimore.

"Hopefully, they can look at my track record and give me a shot over there [at third]," said Reynolds, who had 18 errors in 142 games as Arizona's third baseman in 2010. "I know I'm better than that. But whatever Buck and [executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette] want me to do, I'll do."

This is what I want to see. Reynolds realizes his defense was poor and is determined to improve it to stick at 3B. His bat plays much better there.

Interesting the weightlifting with Brady took away his agility...

[HxCOriole44]

Those power numbers were impressive.

[Can_of_corn]

http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111216&content_id=26183892&vkey=news_bal&c_id=bal

This is what I want to see. Reynolds realizes his defense was poor and is determined to improve it to stick at 3B. His bat plays much better there.

Interesting the weightlifting with Brady took away his agility...

I think it is more likely weightlifting after Brady did it. It is not like Brady works with these guys all offseason.

[luismatos4prez]

Hell yeah Reynolds!! Prove yourself in the field!!

A humongous hole on the team is filled if he can play even okay defense at 3rd this year.

[BrunoCherrytown]

I'd be more than happy with Reynolds at third if he improved his defense and Prince Fielder was manning first...

Of course me believing in the likelihood of either of those situations is directly correlated to how much vodka/tonic i've put into my body...and I'm just getting started, so it still sounds like crazy talk.

[waroriole]

I'd be more than happy with Reynolds at third if he improved his defense and Prince Fielder was manning first...

Of course me believing in the likelihood of either of those situations is directly correlated to how much vodka/tonic i've put into my body...and I'm just getting started, so it still sounds like crazy talk.

And yet you're still able to come on here and make the same post multiple times a day. Congrats.

[Sports Guy]

And he should get it, unless he is traded.

[Rene88]

Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BaltimoreTerp]

Reynolds should be our third baseman Opening Day, short of a trade or injury. End of story.

[jabba72]

Reynolds biggest value is at 3B so he should keep getting looks there.

[Rene88]

Are you people nuts? Did you see him play 3B last year? He is AWFUL. I would rather see Andino there.

[Art Wing]

And he should get it, unless he is traded.

I agree. I'm stuck with just my iPhone right now so I'm not going to look it up but weren't the bulk of his 3b errors throwing errors? The new found strength could directly link to poor throws as he gets comfortable with it.

[MikeAD]

I'm all for whatever is best combination at 1B and 3B. I am confident that his year will be better than last at the plate since there won't be a league adjustment period. When he was on last year he was ON.

[Scrat1]

As others have said, he should be our third baseman. As long as he's only a little below average, he'll be fine there. I think he can do it.

[REDMAN]

Andino is one of the better players defensively on this team but third base is a power position and with Davises lack of range Reynolds is a better solution, he has better range and agility to play the position.