The Orioles are doing their very best to play “Moneyball” this offseason, signing all sorts of players to minor league deals with spring training invites. With the signing of Tyler Colvin to a major league deal, and David Lough, Delmon Young, Francisco Pequero, Quintin Berry, Xavier Paul, Julio Borbon, along with Nolan Reimold, Steve Pearce, and Henry Urrutia… the Orioles are all set at Left Field and at DH.
There had been rumors that maybe the Orioles were interested in Kendrys Morales or Nelson Cruz to fill their DH position, but with all they have done in signing these other players, it appears they are going with a DH by committee approach again. Word also came last week that free agent Mark Reynolds was looking for a job.
Reynolds was a fan-favorite in Baltimore, but also frustrated us with his high number of strikeouts. But when he wasn’t re-signed after the 2012 season, a lot of fans wanted the Orioles to bring him back as DH. A reunion was talked about, even after he was made available in August last season, but instead he signed with the Yankees.
His agent called the Orioles last week to gauge their interest in bringing Reynolds back for the 2014 season. The Birds had interest, but were in no hurry to get anything done. The Washington Nationals have more interest in Reynolds than the Orioles do, but as with the O’s, it would be for a bench position.
If you search the internet, you’ll see that the Nats, Orioles, and Yankees are said to have interest in Reynolds. But there is one team that has emerged that no one is talking about… the Milwaukee Brewers.
My source says that in the last day or two, talks between the Brewers and Reynolds have really heated up. He likes the idea of coming to Baltimore, or even going down the road to Washington, but at this point in his career he still wants to prove he can be a force at the plate. The Brewers are offering Reynolds their starting first baseman job. No other team is offering that.
I know there are NO rumors of the Brewers interest, and if you search the web, it appears the Nationals are the front runners for Reynolds service… but I trust my source. Mark Reynolds will be the starting 1st baseman for the Brewers in 2014.
