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The Baltimore Orioles have declined the $11 million option for 2013 of corner infielder Mark Reynolds, reports Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com:
The #Orioles have declined Mark Reynolds' $11 mm option for 2013.
— Brittany Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) October 31, 2012
The Orioles acquired Reynolds from the Arizona Diamondbacks for relievers David Hernandez and Kameron Mickolio prior to the 2011 season. After hitting .221/.323/.483 with 27 doubles and 37 home runs during his first season with Baltimore, Reynolds hit .221/.335/.429 with 26 doubles and 23 home runs this year.
While Reynolds has a knack for going on incredibly hot streaks, he’s also led the league in strikeouts several times.
Acquired as a third baseman, the Orioles moved the slugger to first base this season due to his poor defense at the hot corner. While the move to first hurts his overall value, Reynolds proved capable with the glove as the team’s regular first baseman over the second half of the season.
The Orioles are reported to have interest in re-signing Reynolds to a lesser deal now that he’s a free agent, and he has expressed interest in returning to Baltimore.