Yesterday, the Phillies reunited with Marlon Byrd who was originally drafted by the team back in 1999. The right-handed hitting Byrd hit .291 with 24 home runs and 88 RBIs last season with the Mets and Pirates. The home run total was his career high, and he fell just one RBI short of his career high of 89 which he accomplished with the 2009 Rangers. He was signed to a two-year, $16 million deal and there's a vesting option for 2016.
There seems to be more question marks around this signing than certainty. What's known is that Byrd is expected to receive the majority of starts in right field and that he would be a defensive upgrade at that position. What's not known is whether or not Byrd can come anywhere close to the success he found in 2013. This also puts the status of Darin Ruf and John Mayberry, Jr. in doubt. While I believe it's time for Mayberry to move on, I'd like to see Ruf get an extended shot at being an everyday starter. Byrd's arrival means that Ruf will either fill a bench role or get his shot with another team.
The bulk of Byrd's Phillies baseball cards can be found in 2003 and 2004 releases, when his "hot prospect" status meant inclusion in just about every possible base and insert set. And one more Byrd thought - My wife Jenna and I were at the Phillies game on the night of May 14, 2005, when they flashed on the side score boards that Byrd had been traded to the Washington Nationals for Endy Chavez. So much has happened in the 8 1/2 years since that night.
Moving On
Steven Lerud (10/1/13) - Elected free agency.
Raul Valdes (10/2/13) - Claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros.
Tyler Cloyd (10/2/13) - Claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians.
Michael Martinez (10/7/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.
Zach Miner (10/7/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.
Pete Orr (10/7/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.
Roger Bernadina (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.
J.C. Ramirez (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency. (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Cleveland Indians, 11/1/13)
Casper Wells (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.
John Lannan (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.
Cesar Jimenez (10/24/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.
Roy Halladay (10/31/13) - Elected free agency.
Carlos Ruiz (10/31/13) - Elected free agency.
Mauricio Robles (11/5/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and became a minor league free agent.
New Additions
Marlon Byrd (11/12/13) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
3 comments:
Lots of Byrd cards in 2004 releases, you say? Bet you'll be adding some to your collection in the near future!
It's becoming a regular holiday along with the others!
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Section 36 10 Year Purge, Christmas.
I am so depressed by this signing. Let the young guys play. I'd rather see Ruf and Hernandez get some time.
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