Phillies Hot Stove: Mark Reynolds a Possible Solution at Third Base

Oct 7, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Mark Reynolds (12) singles in the sixth inning of game one of the 2012 ALDS against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE

On Friday, the Baltimore Orioles did not offer first baseman Mark Reynolds a contract for next season making him a free agent. This automatically spurred an idea in my head and that is should the Phillies take a look at him for the third base position. Now you might be saying to yourself that Reynolds is only a first baseman, well not so fast, he also plays third base. He is a right handed bat and brings some serious power numbers!

I think he definitely fills the Phillies needs at third base. In his career so far, Reynolds has played six seasons at third base between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles. At the third base position, he has played in 655 games and started in 641 of those games. His career fielding percentage is .928 and has only committed 114 errors.

Last season with the Orioles, he played 15 games at third base and only committed six errors, which isn’t bad at all. His fielding stats are adequate enough to get you by but what should excite Phillies fans is Reynolds’ power numbers. So far during his six year career, he has amassed 181 home runs and 651 RBIs but what is concerning is his .235 career batting average.

His career batting average too many fans is a deep concern because you do not need that in our lineup, which is totally understandable. Three years ago with the Diamondbacks, Reynolds had 44 home runs, 102 RBIs, a .260 batting average, but 223 strikeouts which is outrageous to a point.

The good thing about Reynolds is that his strikeouts have been going down considerably every year. Last season with Baltimore, he only had 159 strikeouts which is good compared to his early career numbers. In continuing to talk about last season, Reynolds had 23 home runs, 69 RBIs, but a .221 batting average. But you know what; I’ll take that from Reynolds, its way better than what you could possibly get from third base this upcoming season anyway.

We will see how much Reynolds wants on the free agent market but if it’s the right amount, then you just might see him at third base for your Philadelphia Phillies this upcoming season.

Jovan Alford is a staff writer for The Sixer Sense, a writer for Buzz On Broad covering the Philadelphia 76ers and Local College Basketball, and is a writer for Rant Sports covering the A-10 Conference for College Basketball.

Follow me on twitter @Jovan10 for Sixers, College Basketball, NFL, MLB, and all sports updates.

For any inquiries contact me via email: jovan.alford@gmail.com