Baltimore Orioles Hold Interest in Free Agents Mark Reynolds, Neil Walker
The Baltimore Orioles reportedly are interested in infielders Mark Reynolds and Neil Walker, showing signs that the team isn’t done just yet with free agent acquisitions.
Baltimore Orioles rumors surfaced of interest in former Orioles infielder Mark Reynolds. However, the Orioles aren’t only interested in the slugger, but also intrigued by second baseman Neil Walker, per MASNSports.com’s Roch Kubatko.
Walker, 32, spent roughly six seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he posted a career .272 batting average and earned the Silver Slugger award in 2014 with 23 homers and 76 RBIs.
Walker experienced another solid season in 2016 with the New York Mets where he hit .282 and tied a career-high 23 home runs. Most recently, the free agent infielder hit 14 home runs last season and hit .265 last season with the Mets and Milwaukee Brewers.
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Despite his continued production, Walker received a shocking minor league deal from the Kansas City Royals, but was unsuccessful, per Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo.
Reynolds, 34, played with the Baltimore Orioles for two seasons in 2011 and the Orioles American League East division title season in 2012. The former Orioles slugger hit .221/.328/.458 and combined for 60 home runs and 155 RBIs in Baltimore.
The rejuvenated Reynolds smashed 30 homers in 2017 with the Colorado Rockies, the most he’s hit since 2011 when he was with the Orioles, hitting a career-high 37 home runs.
Mega-Mark excels off right-handed pitchers and hit .281 versus RHP last season and could be a valuable addition to the Showalter’s batting lineup. Reynolds shines defensively and can play either third base or first base.
However, the Orioles are set at both third base and first base with Tim Beckham handing the team’s third base duties, along with Chris Davis penciled in as the starting first baseman.
Next: Tim Beckham's Smooth Transition to Third Base
The latest Orioles free agent rumors come just days after the Orioles signed Danny Valencia to a minor league deal. However, in a report by MASNSports.com’s Roch Kubatko, Valencia stated he won’t be willing to go down to the minors.