The Philadelphia Phillies are making moves already. They signed free agent outfielder Marlon Byrd as rumors have the 36-year-old inking a two-year deal with the team that originally drafted him back in 1999.
After a magnificent 2013 season that saw him play very well with both the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates, the Phillies figured they might as well resign their former prospect. This past year, Byrd finally broke out, posting the numbers many awaited throughout his career.
As a Met, Byrd hit 21 home runs, drove in 71 while posting a triple slash .285/.330/518. After 117 games in New York, Byrd was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates and in 30 games, he hit three home runs with 17 RBI while hitting .318. He had a key home run in the 2013 N.L. Wild Card Game against the Cincinnati Reds and finished the playoffs with one home run, five RBI along with an impressive .364/.391/.591 triple slash.
Byrd has faced adversity after being suspended for his use of PED's while with the Boston Red Sox in 2012. By this point, Byrd was barely managing to keep his MLB career afloat. From 2005-2012, Byrd played for five teams; Phillies, Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers, Cubs and Red Sox. He had his best season in 2013 since posting a 20-homer, 89-RBI season with the Rangers in 2009. However, he could not duplicate this production with the Cubs in 2010.
When the Mets traded Byrd, it was an attempt to maximize on his great season. Ultimately, Byrd helped the Pirates get into the postseason, while the Mets are still trying to put a competitive team on the field.
The Phillies lineup will now have some extra pop as they attempt to once again become relevant in the N.L. East as the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals have gone on to win the division in the last two years.
