Hi Erin & welcome to Cafe Sax!
Glad you found us, and great that you play Alto AND Baritone, and really enjoy it. Many of the users will give a mixture of general and subjective views regarding the question you have about reeds.
1. Synthetic reeds - lots of people give them a try and my impression is that some folks try and find the best synthetic reed available - a few seem to like the Legere Signature, but a larger number either reject them early on to go back to cane, or gradually go back because something is missing. I am one who has given it a go but prefer cane by some margin - more characterful and dynamic IMHO.
2. Regarding cane reeds the main complaint is inconsistency - only getting 6/7 decent ones in a box of 10. I have done a fair of bit of research and the most consistent ones I've tried include:
Rico Jazz Selects (2M is a good softer reed)
Marca Jazz (one of my favourites - brighter sound)
Francois Louis Excellence (favourite)
Alexander Superial DC (darker sound)
I don't particularly like Vandoren reeds, and have a personal preference for French (Jazz) cut reeds.
3. The other thing is the preparation of reeds - I use the method recommended on the Alexander Superial website which seems to yield very good results - can't remember the last time I had a dull or unplayable reed.
My conclusion is to go for lesser known brands which probably produce reeds in smaller quantities and probably produce a more consistent product.
Regarding Vandoren I think that they produce very good mouthpieces, expensive ligatures, and reeds which have a number of critics (as well as advocates), moreso than some other brands.
Hope this is helpful to you - I'm sure you'll have other views (my comments cover soprano, alto and tenor reeds, but not blown a baritone, or even tried to lift one.....;}
Kind regards
Tom