Mark Reynolds is one of the great “three true outcome” (TTO) players in history–guys whose majority of at-bats are either a strikeout, walk, or home run. Being one of these types does not make you bad (see: Jim Thome, Mark McGwire, Adam Dunn), but it does not guarantee you will be great (see: Carlos Pena, Jack Cust, Mark Bellhorn, Russell Branyan). Complicating these players’ place on a typical MLB roster is that they are not bringing their gloves to the stadiums most days. So for their sake, the homerun portion of the TTO equation better not fall off, or they are quickly out of a job.
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Following the 2012 season, Cleveland needed a first baseman. Casey Kotchman manned the spot for the 2012 season, and it wasn’t pretty (72 OPS+). And there were no prospects in the system ready to replace him.
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Cleveland took a swing at veteran Kevin Youkilis, who turned them down for the Yankees. Then they went after another veteran, Mark Reynolds, who they were able to get on a 1-year, $6 million deal. Reynolds was one of the premier TTO-types in the league: he led the league in strikeouts from 2008 to 2011, but he also averaged 35 dingers. His defence was nothing to write home about.
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Mark Reynolds was more Jack Cust than Jim Thome during his brief stay in Cleveland. He had a 92 OPS+ with 123 K’s, 43 walks, and 15 HR in 335 at-bats. By August, Cleveland decided to hand first base duties over to Nick Swisher and Carlos Santana.
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Reynolds would bounce around the league for a couple more seasons, some of which were productive. He was above average with Colorado for two seasons, including a 30 HR campaign in 2017.