Mark Reynolds Finally Give Overbay The Platoon Partner He Needs

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It took much longer than it should have, and it's a little puzzling that the Yankees decided to let weeks go by after the trade deadline before finally addressing it.  Still, the addition of Mark Reynolds to the bench gives them the right-handed platoon bat they very much needed to pair with Lyle Overbay.  As first reported by Jon Heyman, the Yanks and Reynolds agreed to a deal last night, and he should be with the team and available for the start of tonight's series against the Sawx.  After suffering through the first few months of the season with next to no right-handed power, the Yanks now have another big righty bat to use.


While he's a step or 2 down from his 30-40 HR days of years past, Reynolds is still a very dangerous righty power bat.  His 15 HR on the season would be second most on the Yankees right now, and his .330 wOBA against left-handed pitching is damn good when you consider he's posted only a .215 batting average to get it.  Reynolds' overall batting line of .215/.307/.373 in 384 PA isn't awe-inspiring at all.  He's a classic TTO hitter (47.14% of his PA this season have ended in either a BB, K, or HR) and the high K total (32.0% K rate) does mitigate some of the value created by his power.  But he has a history of hitting well in the AL East, he was banged up earlier in the year and that could have had something to do with his down year, and he's a huge upgrade against LHP compared to Overbay.

I liked Reynolds as a backup FA plan for third base this offseason.  Having him in place of Kevin Youkilis would have been a better option, even with the down numbers this season.  Better late than never though, and the Yankees add another piece to strengthen their lineup.  Reynolds will platoon with Overbay, back up A-Rod a little bit, and give Joe a powerful late-game pinch hitting option.  Don't be surprised if he's in the starting lineup at first base tonight.