One year after signing a minor-league deal, Marlon Byrd has cashed in by returning to the team that drafted him in 1999. The Philadelphia Phillies agreed to sign the right-handed hitting outfielder to a two-year, $16 million contract Tuesday, making the first splash of the 2013 GM Meetings.
Terms: Two years, $16 million (via ESPN.com’s Adam Rubin)
2013 stats: .291 average, .336 OBP, .511 slugging, 24 home runs, 88 RBI, 5.0 wins above replacement
Draft implications: Not linked to draft pick compensation
Roster impact: Byrd projects as the Phillies’ right fielder, and likely pushes John Mayberry Jr. to a reduced role after three seasons of steady playing time. Byrd offers more certainty than Mayberry or Darin Ruf and his presence improves the Phillies’ lineup in the short term.
The Phillies entered the off-season in search of right-handed power to balance out a lineup that features the left-handed hitting Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Domonic Brown. In Byrd they get a solid right-handed bat who began his MLB career in Philadelphia from 2002-05.
Analysis: Byrd, who turned 36 in August, offers solid offensive production with limited upside. His 2013 numbers will be tough to replicate as he enters his late thirties, so his performance will likely resemble his career line of .280/.336/.425 going forward. There’s also a chance that Byrd’s performance will diminish to the point that he’s a platoon or bench bat by the second year of this deal in 2015.
The Phillies aren’t getting a bargain here, but a two-year commitment isn’t going to prevent the front office from making other moves. Plus, Byrd didn’t cost a draft pick or a trade chip.
Byrd obtained the exact same deal that fellow ACES client Melky Cabrera signed a year ago this time. Like Cabrera, Byrd served a 50-game suspension in 2012 for violating MLB’s drug policy.
ACES also represents Grant Balfour and Joaquin Benoit, two of the top free agent relievers. Given the agency’s history of striking quick deals, don’t be surprised if those relievers sign before long.
All things considered: Byrd did well to get two years at $8 million per season. This move alone won’t push the Phillies back into contention, so they’ll have to keep making additions if they want to improve meaningfully upon last year’s 89-loss season.
General manager: Ruben Amaro Jr.
Agency: ACES
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