Mike Francesa of WFAN announced that he has knowledge that the Mets are going hard after free agent outfielder Marlon Byrd as long as he doesn’t cost too much.
This is not surprising considering he was one of the most productive players on the team batting .291/.336/.531 this season with a career-high 24 home runs, 35 doubles, 79 runs scored and and 88 RBI, all for the bargain price of $1 million dollars. In fact, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports called Byrd one of the best free agent signings of last offseason.
Right fielder Marlon Byrd has already told Sandy Alderson that he would be open to returning to the Mets next season, according to report filed by Kristie Ackert of the Daily News.
“I’ve talked to Sandy, I told him thank you for the opportunity at the beginning of the year and thank you for the opportunity to play for a winner,” Byrd said of his conversation with the Mets general manager. “I told him, ‘If you want me back, I would love to come back,’.”
Overall, I thought Byrd was a great presence in the clubhouse and served as a good mentor for some of our younger players. He was certainly one of Sandy Alderson’s best major league additions as GM.
My question is how much is too much for Byrd who I imagine is looking for a two-year deal?
And if we do sign him, is this the signature outfield acquisition for the offseason?
And how is that exactly an upgrade?
(Hat tips to Eileen and Brian)
