The 5 Best Remaining Free Agents For The Padres

Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

#3. Mark Reynolds, Third Baseman

Personally, I’d like to see the Padres move current second baseman Jedd Gyorko back across the diamond to his original position, and give Corey Spangenberg a chance to play second base everyday. Many of you have claimed that Gyroko was moved to second ONLY because he was atrocious at third, but the reality of it is, Chase Headley was in his way. So, with the assumption that Gyorko remains at second, and that he bounces bat and continues to put up decent power numbers, the Padres will need a power-hitting third baseman.

Look no further than the career .229, 32 home run, 89 RBI 162-game average of Mr. Mark Reynolds. He filled in nicely in the Bronx in 2013 after being waived by Cleveland, and rather than return to the Bronx on a minor league deal, signed with Milwaukee, where the power numbers continued. He hit 22 home runs, drove in 45, and slugged .394 in over 400 plate appearances. The problem, is that for the second time in six seasons, Reynolds hit under .200, posting a .196 batting average, and striking out over 100 times. Hey, I didn’t say this guy was Tony Gwynn. Productive, cheap power bats are what the Padres need, and Reynolds fits the bill.

Reynolds is durable, having played more than 130 games seven times in his career, and just missing an eighth time between his time in Cleveland and his arrival in New York. The nice thing about Reynolds, is that he is also versatile, and plays a solid third base, along with having extensive time at first base as well. This gives the Padres an opportunity to shift Reynolds back and forth across the diamond, allowing Yangervis Solarte to spend some time at the hot corner. Big Mark is coming off of a one-year deal that paid him $2 million dollars. A two-year, $10 million dollar deal, adds yet another cheap, big time power bat to the Padres lineup.