MLB Trade Rumors: Orioles Shopping Kevin Gregg, Mark Reynolds

Yesterday Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com tweeted that the Baltimore Orioles are shopping reliever Kevin Gregg and slugger Mark Reynolds.  Both players sport hefty contracts, and neither has a clearly defined position with the Orioles.

Mark Reynolds is listed as a third baseman.  While he provides the Orioles power from the hot corner, he is known as one of the worst defensive players in the game.  For this reason many question if the Birds should look to shift Reynolds from third to first.

By doing this, Reynolds would lose considerable value, as his bat wouldn’t look as impressive if he’s manning first.  Still, moving his glove to first, or more importantly off of third, seems to be the logical move.

This is why it makes sense for the team to be shopping him.  Reynolds is set to make $7.5 million this season and the team holds an $11 million option for 2013 which includes a $500,000 buyout.  If the Orioles can find a team that is still willing to use Reynolds at third despite his glove, they could recoup on his value and save money.

Gregg is also expected to move from his primary position of closer.  Last offseason, the Orioles inked Gregg to a two-year/$10 million that included a $6 million club option for 2013.  Baltimore paid this amount of money because they expected Gregg to be their closer.

Things didn’t go so well for Gregg or the Orioles last season, as the right-hander blew several opportunities and finished with an uninspiring 4.37 ERA and 1.642 WHIP.  Gregg lost control of the strike zone (6.0 BB/9) and posted his lowest strikeout total (8.0 SO/9) in half a decade.

The Orioles have alternatives to Gregg and Reynolds in Jim Johnson and Wilson Betemit.  It certainly won’t hurt shopping the veteran players, but it’s hard to imagine them getting much in return for either considering their track records and the amount of money owed to them this season.

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