Withholding Judgment

[Frobby]

Reynolds' defense simply wasn't as good as people made it out to be. He had very little range, and he made other plays look more difficult than they really were, which is why to the naked eye they appeared to be much more impressive.

I agree he was somewhat overrated around here, but he was still much better than Davis was last year. The onus is on Davis to show he can step up his defensive game.

[Frobby]

Nolan Reimold will blow Reynold's bat out of the water this year, IMO.

First, he has to be healthy enough to play most or all of the year. Second, he has to be able to hit well despite missing nearly a full year and despite any lingering issues from his injury. Neither is a sure thing.

[fearthenoodle]

I agree he was somewhat overrated around here, but he was still much better than Davis was last year. The onus is on Davis to show he can step up hid defensive game.

That's such a small sample size to look at, in my opinion. To base it off only 343 innings there last year is not something I'm comfortable with, especially if the organization feels he can handle it. I know there is a lot of debate about defensive metrics and their value, but if you look at Defensive runs saved, I think Reynolds was about -9 runs saved over his time at 1B last year. Davis was +4 in his 343 innings there.

[CSB Jack]

First, he has to be healthy enough to play most or all of the year. Second, he has to be able to hit well despite missing nearly a full year and despite any lingering issues from his injury. Neither is a sure thing.

Reimold is another of the Orioles who could be a big part of a successful year but about whom there is also a lot of uncertainty. The encouraging thing for me is the DD doesn't seem to be counting on any or all of the question marks to have to turn into sure things but is stockpiling options and continually looking for other candidates. I certainly HOPE that Reimold is healthy all year and lives up to the potential we have seen but I have been waiting for this since 2009.

[Oriolidae85]

First, he has to be healthy enough to play most or all of the year. Second, he has to be able to hit well despite missing nearly a full year and despite any lingering issues from his injury. Neither is a sure thing.

Agreed, but Reimold has averaged close to 130 games the prior 3/4 seasons (one of which included the achilles problem). I expect 100 games, if he's already in full workouts now, at a minimum. And that will be enough, hopefully.

Agree with Fears noodles on Mark's defense. He made some flashy plays, but his approach at 1B was limited in range. He appears to keep his center of gravity close to the ground and would dive on plays that a more experienced/defensive 1B would scoop up with one step.

[fearthenoodle]

And I'm not really trying to play up Davis's defense, or downplay Reynolds', but in the end I really believe they're both probably in the same range of slightly below average to slightly above average.

[scOtt]

Reynolds' defense simply wasn't as good as people made it out to be. He had very little range, and he made other plays look more difficult than they really were, which is why to the naked eye they appeared to be much more impressive.

He was good, yes. But I don't think he was as great as he looked. And I also don't think Davis will consistently drop chest high throws. I think their defense is a wash.

And with Reimold added I think the whole team is improved. Not the sense of what we were talking about earlier but I get mixed up.

[wildcard]

Reynolds' defense simply wasn't as good as people made it out to be. He had very little range, and he made other plays look more difficult than they really were, which is why to the naked eye they appeared to be much more impressive.

You can't just look at a stat sheet and sum up Reynolds play at 1B. The way he played in June is not how he was playing in August, Sept and October. He was learning on the job. His range toward the end of the season was very good. In fact he had to learn how to not range too far in some cases.

That he made some plays look harder than they were is probably true, but the bottom line is that he made the plays. He caught the bounced throws and the throws that were off the bag. He showed very well defensively by the end of the season. No need the bad month the guy now that he will not be back with the O's.

[fearthenoodle]

Nobody is bad-mouthing him. His defense was adequate. But we're not trying to replace a gold-glove caliber 1B, as some have suggested. His range (just as at 3B), was not good at any point.

[CA-ORIOLE]

That's such a small sample size to look at, in my opinion. To base it off only 343 innings there last year is not something I'm comfortable with, especially if the organization feels he can handle it. I know there is a lot of debate about defensive metrics and their value, but if you look at Defensive runs saved, I think Reynolds was about -9 runs saved over his time at 1B last year. Davis was +4 in his 343 innings there.

DRS shows Davis a minus 4 (-14 per year rate of efficiency) and Reynolds a minus 2 (minus 3 per year rate of efficiency) at first base last year. Reynolds was a plus 4 in GFP's (Good Fielding Plays - not range related) while Davis was a minus 4 in GFP's. UZR (primarily uses range) shows Davis more favorably, but UZR is also a lot more generic than DRS. I'm also of the opinion that Reynolds play improved at first base last year over time.

[fearthenoodle]

Here was what I was referencing.

@CamdenDepot

At first, Reynolds was -8 runs fielding in 957 innings. Davis was +4 in 343 innings. #range #SSS

[mark_beckens]

Why? Reynolds appears to be the better defensive 1B, so it's a downgrade to the defense. Therefore, it can only be an upgrade if Reynolds' at bats are going to go to someone who is a better hitter than he is, and the difference needs to be more than marginal in light of the fact that the defense is taking something of a hit. And, there is a depth issue, too.

Shouldn't Manny be put into this equation?

[Frobby]

Shouldn't Manny be put into this equation?

I'm not sure I am following you. I think the issue relates to what our lineup could have been for next year, vs. what it will be with Reynolds gone. Manny is at 3B either way.

[Babypowder]

Nolan Reimold will blow Reynold's bat out of the water this year, IMO.

While he's healthy, which will be a healthy minority of 162 games.

[scOtt]

Shouldn't Manny be put into this equation?

Manny's throws aren't perfect either. He makes so many crazy plays he doesn't always have time to set and throw. Mark finished a lot of amazing plays by Manny. Chris will have to try to do the same.