Phillies Stay or Go: Marlon Byrd

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Over the next two weeks, we'll take a look at Phillies on the bubble -- players who may or not may not return in 2015 because of their contract situation or a desire by the team to move on.

Marlon Byrd, RF

Age: 37

Contract: Signed a two-year, $16 million contract before the 2014 season. An $8 million option for 2016 vests with 600 plate appearances in 2015 or 1,100 plate appearances in 2014 and 2015, including 550 plate appearances in 2015.

2014 season
Looking for Marlon Byrd during the season? For nearly every night of the season he was playing right field and batting fifth behind Ryan Howard or cleanup when Howard was taking a rest.

Indeed, Byrd was one of the few consistent performers for the Phillies in 2014, belting 25 homers in 154 games. Interestingly, Byrd batted .264 in Phillies wins and .264 in losses, too. He also batted .263 before the All-Star break and .265 during the second half.

He notched career-high marks in games (154), homers (25) and strikeouts (185). Though Byrd has been in the big leagues for 13 seasons, he was never a home run threat until slugging 20 bombs for Texas in 2009. As a result, Byrd became more prone to strikeouts, whiffing 329 times in 301 games over the last two seasons.

Signature games of 2014
Byrd had a pair of doubles, a two-run single in the ninth and four RBIs in a comeback victory at Dodger Stadium on April 24.

He also drove in four runs with a three-run homer and sacrifice fly in a 5-1 victory over the Padres on June 10. In the next game against the Padres, Byrd went 0 for 4 with four strikeouts.

Stay or go?
The Phillies have few assets that could draw the interest in contending teams. Byrd, with his ability to play three outfield positions well and his power, is an attractive piece teams often come looking for.

But is Byrd cost prohibitive? If he gets 550 plate appearances in 2015, an $8 million option for 2016 kicks in and that could scare away teams simply looking for a rental. He also has a limited no-trade clause in his deal, which allows him to block trades to four teams. As a result, look for Byrd to be in Philadelphia for 2015 and 2016, as well.

What they're saying ...
“I've been in the league a long time because of my defense. I've had years where I've hit [low- to mid-.200s] and the reason I stayed around at the time is because my defense was solid. Hitting shouldn't have anything to do with your defense.”

- Marlon Byrd, Wilmington News Journal, Aug. 20, 2014

“I knew he'd be an upgrade and had good experience in right field but just his steady play, his jumps on balls, his true arm throws. He's been very good on being where he has to be, moving with the pitches and things. But his ability to read the ball off the bat has been very good especially coming in, going all directions really especially some of those softer balls coming in. He's been very good at those.”

- Ryne Sandberg, Wilmington News Journal, Aug. 20, 2014

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