Phillies Sign Outfielder Marlon Byrd

The Phillies have reached an agreement with outfielder Marlon Byrd, according to Michael Barkann of WIP. The two year deal that they reached will be worth $16 million, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter). 

Byrd, who began his career with the Phillies in 2002, rejoins the club after a fantastic season in which he posted a .291/.336/.511 line with 24 home runs and 88 runs batted in. With the Mets and Pirates, Marlon Byrd was able to rebuild his image after being found taking PEDs in 2012. 

Byrd played good defense in the outfield, posting a .980 fielding percentage there. He spent time at all three outfield positions. The six-foot, 245 pound slugger is not at all a bad defender. He could be exactly what the Phillies need in 2014 to improve their outfield. 

The Phillies, looking for right-handed power, especially in the outfield, may have found their guy. In 2013, the Phillies ranked 22nd in OPS from right fielders (.709 OPS), and also ranked 22nd in OPS against left handed pitching (.679). Any way you slice it, Byrd has always been better against left handers than right handers. With a career .776 OPS (.340 OPB + .436 SLG) vs lefties, he helps clog a hole in a problem the Phillies have had. In 2013, Byrd had a OPS vs. lefties of .867, but only hit eight of his twenty-four homers against them. Whether he continues to hit homers like he did in '13 is another question, but he has been reliable over his entire career versus left handed pitching. 

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