Nolan is back, baby!
Late Monday afternoon, as much of Birdland was getting ready to watch the MLB draft, the following news came across Twitter, first reported by Roch Kubatko of MASN:
Per industry sources, #orioles will select OF Nolan Reimold's contract from AAA Norfolk before tomorrow's game vs. Red Sox
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) June 8, 2015
While this news will of course elicit the usual snarky “how long until he’s on the DL?” comments from the peanut gallery, as an unabashed Nolan Reimold fan, I couldn’t be happier. Reimold has an opt-out clause in the minor league deal he signed this offseason, so if the O’s didn’t call him up by July 12, he would have been gone.
With the Birds struggling to find offense, many are surprised it took this long to make the call for Reimold. He started slow at AAA Norfolk, but is hitting .422 (19-for-45), with a .469 OBP since May 22, again per Roch.
The beat writers seem to think the most likely corresponding move will be to option LHP Cesar Cabral back to Norfolk, though no announcement has been made.
In a perfect world, Reimold would slide into the leadoff spot, allowing Manny Machado to drop down the order a bit, and would help put an end to the constant revolving door in left field.
There’s no question Reimold can do the job – when healthy, all the guy does is rake. Back in 2009 as a rookie, he burst onto the scene for the Birds, hitting .279/.365/.466 with 15 HR in 104 games. When Buck Showalter penciled him into the leadoff spot to start 2012, he hit .313/.333/.627 in 16 games before hitting the DL.
Of course, the caveat, as always is “when healthy.” Despite my self-proclaimed affinity for all things Reimold, even I was pretty much done with him after his last stint with the O’s in 2013. He hit just .195/.250/.336 in 40 games, was DFA’s by the O’s last July 1, and then in 29 contests between Toronto and Arizona in 2014 was just .232/.282/.435. He actually only played in four games for the Jays before a strained calf sent him to the disabled list.
While he is reportedly finally completely healed from his neck issues and subsequent surgery, that’s not the only issue that has given him the “injury-prone” label throughout his career.
Listen – do I root for Nolan Reimold? Absolutely. But it’s all only in the context of “Can he help the Orioles win?” I really think/hope that he can. Wouldn’t it be nice to get some production out of left field? Travis Snider and Delmon Young can platoon in right, and David Lough should never bat again (though he’s unlikely to be DFA’d, being the only backup CF on the roster). As for Steve Pearce, while I remained hopeful until very recently that he could hit his way out of this early-season swoon, that’s unfortunately looking less and less likely.
The Birds need some offense, as well as some stability at at least one of the corner OF spots. Here’s hoping Reimold can provide that.
Those who are on the #ReimTime bandwagon with me, welcome back aboard. Those who are just waiting for him to fail or get hurt again – at least give it a few games, huh? Consider it a respite from the Lough/Snider/Pearce monster.
Best-case scenario: he provides a spark and, along with Matt Wieters, helps the O’s get out of this offensive funk and turn the season around.
Worst-case scenario: he is unproductive or gets injured again. Still, at least the Birds tried something different, calling up one of their hottest AAA hitters. Could it be worse than what they’re running out there now?
