It was announced on Tuesday morning that the Phillies have signed Marlon Byrd to a 2 year, $16 million dollar deal.
Source says Marlon Byrd deal is two years, $16 million. #phillies
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) November 12, 2013
Byrd hit .291, and had 24 home runs last season. That’s very good, he’s a productive player. He also had an OBP of .336 last season, which is very good.
The Phillies have been a pretty bad team against left handed pitchers over the last few years, because they have so many left handed hitters. Well, Marlon Byrd is a right handed hitter that crushes lefties. He hit .344 against left handed pitchers last season. That is amazing. He should really help this Phillies’ lineup in many different ways.
My main concern is his age. He is 36 years old, and the Phillies signed him to a two year deal. He is old, he could start declining at any moment, and I feel like that’s going to happen very soon. I wish that this was a one year deal, but I still think he’s a good player and if it takes a two year deal to sign him then I’m okay with that.
Here is your projected lineup in 2014:
- Ben Revere, CF
- Jimmy Rollins, SS
- Chase Utley, 2B
- Ryan Howard, 1B
- Domonic Brown, LF
- Marlon Byrd, RF
- Cody Asche, 3B
- Catcher to be named later. I would guess Carlos Ruiz.
- Pitcher
That lineup is stacked with left handed hitters, and I think that the signing of Marlon Byrd really helps balance it out.
The Phillies have their 2014 outfield set up now, but there are still three other positions that need fixed:
- Catcher
- Starting Pitcher
- Relief Pitcher
If the Phillies can get at least one good catcher, starting pitcher, and relief pitcher, then this Phillies team will contend in the NL East next season.
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