As has already been reported, the Pirates are busy trying to re-sign outfielder Marlon Byrd and there’s also reported mutual interest in rejoining the Mets.
Aside from that, MLB Trade Rumors speculates that he could be a hot commodity for any team in search of cheap upgrade at a corner outfield position. Specifically they cite the Phillies and Rockies as two such teams.
The Phillies are one team that is known to be looking for right-handed pop to balance out their lineup, and GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has said he doesn’t view Darin Ruf as an everyday player. Byrd was dealt from the Phillies to the Nationals in a change of scenery deal back in 2005 after questioning his role with the team, but then-GM Ed Wade and manager Charlie Manuel no longer occupy those roles and it’s been more than eight years, so a return could be plausible.
The Rockies could give Byrd a look and move Michael Cuddyer — who was one of baseball’s worst defenders in right field — to first base to replace the retiring Todd Helton. The Royals are prioritizing right field and second base this offseason, and Byrd will be more affordable than Carlos Beltran and Nelson Cruz. The Rangers let Byrd walk in free agency once when they felt they had cheaper internal options in Julio Borbon and David Murphy. Now in need of a corner bat if Cruz isn’t retained, a return would seem to make sense. Other teams that would make sense include the Orioles, Giants and Mariners, to name a few.
I’m thinking that after getting a small taste of postseason baseball, Byrd will likely sign with a team that would afford him another shot at October baseball next season. But regardless of that, Byrd is certainly going to garner plenty of interest after a solid campaign in 2013.
Original Post 11/2
Of their seven free agents, the Pirates are eager to re-sign three: Right-hander A.J. Burnett, outfielder Marlon Byrd and shortstop Clint Barmes writes MLB reporter Tom Singer.
GM Neal Huntington is pushing hard to sign both Byrd and Barmes, Singer reports, and they hope to have both deals completed withing their five-day exclusive negotiating window.
Burnett, he says, is pretty much on the record that he will either pitch for the Pirates or retire, so they’ll negotiate with him after they take care of business with Byrd and Barmes.
Mike Francesa of WFAN announced he had knowledge that the Mets would be going hard after Byrd as long as he wouldn’t cost too much. But obviously, that won’t ever happen if the Bucs sign him before he hits the open market.
Byrd was one of the most productive players on the Mets and Pirates 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.
