• Blog
  • Press
  • About
  • Blog
  • Press
  • About
Cover Those Bases

Reds acquire Marlon Byrd from Phillies for prospect

12/31/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Cincinnati Reds have acquired outfielder Marlon Byrd from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for right-hander Ben Lively, the teams officially announced today. 

The Reds had been close to a deal with the Phillies earlier this week, as FOX Sports' Jon Morosi reported, but it fell through at the last minute. Morosi noted at the time that a deal could be reworked. With an outfielder to go along with Jay Bruce and Billy Hamilton on the Reds' list of targets this offseason, they were able to get the deal done with Philadelphia. 

The Phillies are continuing their overhaul of older veterans this offseason, with Jimmy Rollins and Antonio Bastardo already being dealt and with more, including perhaps Cole Hamels, on the way. The trade of Byrd was likely an easier one for GM Ruben Amaro Jr. and the front office, as he was not a part of the "core" that won them the 2008 World Series championship and was just brought on to the club last year. 

Byrd, 36, enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 2014, hitting a career-high 25 home runs and hitting a slash line of .264/.312/.445 with 55 extra-base hits. Byrd posted a 109 weighted runs created plus last season, which means that his offensive production in terms of creating runs was nine percent better than the rest of the league, as adjusted to league and park factors. 

According to defensive metrics, Byrd's defense in right field was above-average, as he was worth six defensive runs saved, while posting a 3.5 ultimate zone rating per 150 games. Byrd will likely play left with the Reds, which will move Skip Schumaker to a "super utility" position. 

Reds' left fielders in 2014 posted a .233/.288/.339 line, so Byrd will serve as an immediate upgrade to the position. The Reds have been busy retooling their club this offseason, trading away Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon, but getting some higher-level prospects in return, some that could make a good contribution at the big league level. The Reds might just be able to contend for a Wild Card in 2015.

The Phillies will be receiving Ben Lively in return for Byrd. Lively, who was the Reds' 2014 Minor League Player of the Year, went 13-7 with a 3.04 ERA and a 171/52 strikeout to walk ratio in 151 innings pitched between High Single-A Bakersfield and Double-A Pensacola. Lively was drafted in the 4th round of the 2013 MLB Draft out of the University of Central Florida. 

--Devan Fink

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Angels
    Astros
    Athletics
    Blue Jays
    Braves
    Brewers
    Cardinals
    Cubs
    Diamondbacks
    Dodgers
    Giants
    Indians
    Mariners
    Marlins
    Mets
    Nationals
    Orioles
    Padres
    Phillies
    Pirates
    Rangers
    Rays
    Reds
    Red Sox
    Rockies
    Royals
    Tigers
    Twins
    White Sox
    Yankees

    Follow @CoverThoseBases
    Picture
    Follow @DevanFink

    Archives

    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from Keith Allison, Keith Allison