Indians Sign Mark Reynolds to One-Year Deal
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Brian D. Kersey/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The Cleveland Indians hoped to add some much needed power to their lineup during the offseason and they’ve done just that. The team has signed first baseman/third baseman Mark Reynolds to a one-year contract.
Even though Reynolds spent last season with the Baltimore Orioles as a third baseman, he is expected to play first base and well as fill the designated hitter spot for the team.
Last season the Indians struggled when it came to scoring runs. They ranked 22nd in Major League Baseball in runs scored, and the team’s 136 home runs ranked 25th. Catcher Carlos Santana led the team with just 18 home runs.
Reynolds is one of the most pure sluggers in baseball right now. Last season for the Orioles, he hit 23 home runs and drove in 69 runs. His 23 home runs were actually the fewest amount he’s hit since his rookie year in 2007. Since entering the majors, Reynolds has averaged over 30 home runs per season.
The one downfall to Reynolds’ game is his tendency to strikeout. From 2008-2010, Reynolds struck out an average of nearly 213 times per season. In 2,973 at-bats in his career, Reynolds has struck out nearly 38% of the time.
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