Colorado Rockies: Grading the 2016 Corner Infielders

Sep 19, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) fields the ball in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) fields the ball in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Colorado Rockies first baseman Mark Reynolds
Colorado Rockies’ first baseman Mark Reynolds. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

MARK REYNOLDS: 2016 GRADE C-, fWAR 0.1

The Colorado Rockies brought free agent first baseman Mark Reynolds to Denver on a one-year deal under the assumption that he would be the starter for 2016. Consequently, it’s clear the Rockies front office never saw Reynolds to be the long-term answer for the club. After all, it has been six years since he last hit over 30 home runs, which all but indicated that his “Sheriff of Swattingham” days are behind him.

In addition to his diminishing power, Reynolds owns a career .234 average and has led the league in strikeouts four times. Despite all of the above going against him, Reynolds showed a lot of grit to pleasantly surprise Rockies fans. In 2016, Reynolds post a career-best .282 average, and .365 OBP. Despite a few career highs, Reynolds ranks 26th out of 31 first basemen who amassed 400+ plate appearances in 2016 in wins above replacement (fWAR).

Rockies GM Jeff Bridich has made it clear this offseason the Rockies are looking to upgrade and find a long-term solution at first base. Whether Ian Desmond or another potential free agent is the answer Bridich is searching for, only time shall tell.