Roch touts Mark Reynolds

[ChaosLex]

So what about Mark Reynolds?

I bring up his name because I'm told that one of the talk shows on sports-radio KTAR in Phoenix devoted significant air time to the idea of the Arizona Diamondbacks trading Reynolds to the Orioles for some pitching help.

The Diamondbacks need to reinforce their bullpen. That's one of general manager Kevin Towers' top priorities. And the rotation also must be addressed, the word on the street being that Brandon Webb is done (he recently topped out at 82 mph in the fall instructional league.)

As a friend of mine put it, Reynolds would lead the Orioles in home runs and strikeouts. So would Adam Dunn.

Reynolds has improved defensively at third base, reducing his errors from 34 in 2008 to 18 this year. He's also known as a good clubhouse guy, from what I've heard. And he played at the University of Virginia, so he must be pretty comfortable on this coast.

http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roch/2010/10/should-orioles-consider-mark-reynolds.html

[Frobby]

There's a decent chance this happens, IMO.

[Going Underground]

Reynolds is also from Virginia. He went to the University of Va. He has been to some O's games FWIW.

[Sports Guy]

This would be an excellent move for the Orioles.

From a post I made a month or so ago:

First of all, his walk rate is very good and has been on the rise the last few years.

Now, hi LD% this year is awful and he has an extremely high IFFB rate.

He is hitting a ton of flyballs this year, so I wonder if he is trying to hit homers.

His BABIP is way down but that is a result from a poor LD% and all the flyballs.

This is the best year he has had defensively and he has improved the last few years...However, his UZR is still in the negative range, although its just -.9 this year.

His contact rate sucks...His K's are crazy high.

I am kind of torn here.

However, if he can stop trying to hit homers(if that is what he is doing, as the stats appear to show), then he should be able to get his BA back into the 250ish range and if he can do that, his OBP should be in the 350 range...and his slugging should be pushing 500.

So, I think there is reason to go after him if you see something in his swing that is easily correctable.

Even this year, he has a 2.1 WAR, so he has value and isn't making that much money.

IMO, there is plenty of reason to believe that he can be a 250/350/500/850 type guy. He shouldn't cost too much in trade and his salary is very reasonable.

He could fall on his face and if he does, so be it..All they have lost is a little bit of money and pieces that are likely to be good spare parts but nothing that isn't replaceable in other ways.

The reward outweighs the risk in this case IMO.

[bird watcher]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reynoma01.shtml

Did he really only bat .198 this year?

I would want to know what caused the regression before I sent anything of value for him.

[Tony-OH]

I was a big proponent of acquiring Reynolds when we discussed him last month and remain so. I think he should be a priority guy to acquire and we can get him without unloading Arrieta, Matusz or Britton, I'd be happy to get him for some of our other pitching.

If they are looking for bullpen help, wonder if a package of Hernandez, Mickolio, and Bell would be enough?

[waroriole]

If they are looking for bullpen help, wonder if a package of Hernandez, Mickolio, and Bell would be enough?

JMO, but that is way too much.

[LookinUp]

If they are looking for bullpen help, wonder if a package of Hernandez, Mickolio, and Bell would be enough?

Seems like way too much to me.

[Frobby]

This is the kind of guy who Crowley can help, regardless of which role he is in.

[Sports Guy]

While I would move Bell in a deal for Reynolds, I don't see the DBacks going that route after watching all the K's Bell had this year.

Now, if they believe there is a very fixable flaw in him and really like him as a prospect, then maybe they would want him.

We do know they want BP help so you would think Berken, DH and JJ would all be on their radar...and while I like those guys, I have no issue including any of them in a trade here.

Another key will be to assume all of his salary, something you know the DBacks will want and perhaps, some other team won't want to do.

I would make the trade Tony said...Would prefer Berken to be the guy over DH but I still make the deal..Mickolio is replaceable, Reynolds replaces Bell...You just have to replace JJ or DH(i assume that one of them is who the DBacks would want). Reynolds represents more value to us than those 3 do right now IMO.

BTW, a way to replace DH or JJ could be Rich Harden.

[Tony-OH]

JMO, but that is way too much.

I don't think so. Hernandez is a good bullpen arm and has value, but Mickolio and Bell's status' have fallen significantly in my opinion.

Reynolds might of had an off year, but he still hit for power, he's young, and his peripherals make him a good bet to rebound.

[bird watcher]

This is the kind of guy who Crowley can help, regardless of which role he is in.

That risk might be worth taking on a FA (Atkins comes to mind), but how much are you willing to give up while betting on Crowley and the pixie dust?

[Moose Milligan]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reynoma01.shtml

Did he really only bat .198 this year?

I would want to know what caused the regression before I sent anything of value for him.

Kinda curious about this, too.

Though I have to believe he's not going to hit .198 next year. If he can do a Dunn performance I'd be definitely alright with that. We're looking at our HR leader for 2011.

[Sports Guy]

JMO, but that is way too much.

Seems like way too much to me.

2 questions for you guys:

1) Do you think it is reasonable to think/expect Reynolds to bounce back?

2) Would you rather have Arrieta or Bell, DH and Kam?

[Tony-OH]

While I would move Bell in a deal for Reynolds, I don't see the DBacks going that route after watching all the K's Bell had this year.

Now, if they believe there is a very fixable flaw in him and really like him as a prospect, then maybe they would want him.

We do know they want BP help so you would think Berken, DH and JJ would all be on their radar...and while I like those guys, I have no issue including any of them in a trade here.

Another key will be to assume all of his salary, something you know the DBacks will want and perhaps, some other team won't want to do.

I would make the trade Tony said...Would prefer Berken to be the guy over DH but I still make the deal..Mickolio is replaceable, Reynolds replaces Bell...You just have to replace JJ or DH(i assume that one of them is who the DBacks would want). Reynolds represents more value to us than those 3 do right now IMO.

BTW, a way to replace DH or JJ could be Rich Harden.

I would too, but you have to give up some quality for quality. I don't want to get rid of Hernandez, but he would seem like a good fit and would probably have the value that could make that deal work. I don't think Berken has much value until he can prove he can pitch through the labrum tear.