Nolan Reimold Optioned To Norfolk

I knew it was coming, but it still made sad. Nolan Reimold was optioned to AAA Norfolk after posting a line of .315, 3 doubles, 3 home runs, 10 RBI, .448 OBP and a .537 slugging percentage. Reimold was nowhere near healthy last spring (physically or mentally). He had undergone achilles surgery that offseason and also had a multitude of personal issues that weighed on him throughout the season. In 2009, Reimold enjoyed a breakout season after toiling in the minors and battling various injuries. He had 100 hits, 15 home runs, 45 RBI and a .279 batting average that season vs. 24 hits, 3 home runs, 14 RBI and a .207 batting average for the '10 season. It looks like he emerged from his funk this spring. Unfortunately, he had an option remaining while Felix Pie did not.

Pie will be the O's 4th outfielder off of the bench to start the season while Reimold will get regular at bats in left field for the Norfolk Tides. I like this approach, really, because Reimold needs to continue to show that last season's troubles are behind him and that he is ready to contribute on a daily basis. I think that he will be fine and will be back in Baltimore sooner than later. It is a good problem to have when you send a player with as much potential as Reimold has to the minors to start the season. It has been a long time since the O's have had depth of this kind, so maybe this is a sign that they are closer to contending than in years past.