Brewers finally sign first baseman in K machine Reynolds

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When I wrote in this space that the Milwaukee Brewers needed to solve the riddle that was their first base position this winter, one of the last directions I thought they would go was Mark Reynolds.

The former Diamondbacks/Orioles/Yankees/Indians third and first baseman is now a member of the Brewers after officially signing with the team Thursday night, as our friends over at Brewer Nation broke down, here. Not exactly the type of birthday present I was expecting from my team, but it helps solve the riddle to some point.

The deal is worth $2 million according to numerous reports with $500k in incentives. That's low risk for a guy signed in mid-January, but still doesn't solidify the position. As Dick Kaegel wrote on Brewers.com, Reyolds has 1,276 strikeouts in 3,418 career at bats and holds the record for most strikeouts in a single season with 223, according to Baseball-Reference while also hold three of the top six spots.

All that aside, he did hit .220 last season with 21 home runs in 135 games with the Indians and Yankees. He did strike out 154 times, which is clearly more than one per game, on average.

He does have some power, which suits him well at Miller Park.

Let's just say he did not get signed for his bat. His defense, however, is a strong point for him, especially at first base. He has a .990 fielding percentage at first base over his career, as opposed to a .928 fielding percentage at third base, where he started his career. That is a strength for a team that has little room for error and can't give away outs.

A platton with Juan Francisco seems likely, at least to start the season, but short term this could pay off for the Brewers. They bascially can't stand to have the production that Yuniesky Betancourt and Francisco had together last season and Reynolds fits their budget.

If you're wondering what the other options are at the position, check out my post from a couple weeks back. The options aren't very pretty. 

I heard numerous rumblings about this signing that Hunter Morris at Triple-A Nashville would be a better option, but he regressed there last year and moving up to the Major League club might not pay off well at all and they could lose him all together. To start the season, Reynolds seems to be the one the team is hedging their bets on, with a little Francisco sprinkled in.

It won't be anything to write home about, but if his defense pays off, the Brewers might live with the .220 batting average.