| The occasionally hard-hitting Mark Reynolds is now a free agent. (Getty Images) |
The Orioles, fresh off their first playoff berth since 1997, have declined to pick up their $11 million option on first baseman Mark Reynolds for 2013, reports MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli.
Reynolds, 29, is coming off a season in which he hit .225/.321/.429 with 23 homers. His power numbers improved substantially during the second half as he slugged .383 before the break and .462 afterward. Defensively, he adapted quite well to the shift from third base to first. In 2011, Reynolds tallied 37 homers in his first season in Baltimore.
Presumably, the O's have some interest in bringing Reynolds back on a lesser deal or perhaps retaining him through the arbitration process.
Also, the Orioles have exercised their 2013 option on reliever Luis Ayala.
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