Comments on: Rangers Reporter Says Cubs Are Close to Signing Marlon Byrd

By: Kevin G

Kevin G — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:34:47 +0000

He isnt much different the Fuld maybe a little more speed.But They arent going to give Fuld a shot. As for Jackson cant wait to see what see can do when he.gets to the bigs.

By: Ace

Ace — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:09:14 +0000

I appreciate the effort Dave, and I don’t mean to be glib … but 3 points higher (in average)? His OPS was 133(!) points higher at home. And it’s been that way each and every year he’s been in Arlington. Those numbers you just posted – his road numbers last year – that’s the real Marlon Byrd. That’s what he’s hit when he hits anywhere but Arlington. I’m not optimistic.

Byrd is looking for 3 years and at least $6 million per – and when it comes to Jim Hendry, Byrd is likely to get it. Ugh.

By: DaveB

DaveB — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:39:16 +0000

Im no fan of Byrd being our center fielder on opening day, but he did hit .283 with 20 homers and 89 RBI last year. And Ace you keep bringing up how much better he hit at Arlington, but his 2009 home/aways splits weren’t bad.

AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB HBP SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
Away 270 24 77 18 0 6 37 12 5 49 3 3 .285 .322 .419 .741

He actually hit for a higher average by 3 points on the road. Its not like Wrigley is a pitchers park either, I don’t see why he couldn’t adjust.
I’d rather have someone else and I know that Hendry is going to give him way too big of a contract (money and year-wise) but I think you have to keep in mind that last year he outproduced both Kosuke and Milton. If Byrd could put up similar numbers in 2010 (hes 32) and Soriano can have any type of rebound now that hes healthy (obviously a big IF) then our outfield won’t be as big of a joke as it was last season.

By: Ace

Ace — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:30:02 +0000

Depends on the rest of the league’s interest – the Yankees have a glut in the outfield, so they’re likely to move someone, particularly if they re-sign Damon. Could be Melky Cabrera, could be Gardner. But I’m not sure how much more Gardner brings to the table than does Fuld.

Why can’t Brett Jackson just be about three years more experienced and just as successful as he was last year?

By: Kevin G

Kevin G — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:22:31 +0000

During my search for a centerfielder I came across Bret Gardner so what do you think it would take to get him from the Yankees?

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:03:59 +0000

Didn’t they already bring in a guy and sign him to a bad contract that played well in Texas in the previous season? I can see deja vu taking place if they brought in Byrd.

By: kevin g

kevin g — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:30:52 +0000

I too would much rather see fuld and johnson out there but I dont see Jim giving them that chance, I am just trying to look for other option beside Bryd. Because Crisp had a terrible year last and Pods isnt a centerfield. So I am just looking for other options.

By: Ace

Ace — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:16:57 +0000

I don’t know what the A’s situation is in center field, but I wouldn’t be too crazy about pursuing Davis. He was solid last year – slightly better than average – but before that, he was pretty terrible. Sure, last year could have been him turning a corner (age 28), but it would be a risk. I’d almost rather just put a Reed Johnson / Sam Fuld platoon out there.

By: kevin g

kevin g — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:42:44 +0000

What about Rajai Davis of Oakland do you think they could trade for him? He is a leadoff hitter and plays a pretty good centerfield. And platooning fontento worked real well last year. Dont get me wrong I would love nothing better then to see him bounce back, but it is a risk.

By: Ace

Ace — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:32:45 +0000

I think the plan at second is a Baker/Fontenot platoon, which is probably fine. Whenever Castro is ready (unlikely to be this year), the plan will be to slide Theriot over. Fontenot and Baker would then be utility players at that point, and my guess is that only one (at most) would remain on the Cubs.