The Red Sox will designate Marlon Byrd for assignment tomorrow, reports MLB.com's Ian Browne (on Twitter). The move will clear a roster spot for Daisuke Matsuzaka, who will be coming off the disabled list to start on Saturday.
Byrd, 34, was acquired from the Cubs for Michael Bowden and Hunter Cervenka following Jacoby Ellsbury's shoulder injury back in April. He hit just .273/.288/.333 in 105 plate appearances for Boston. Chicago is paying all but $400K of Byrd's $6.5MM this season, so the move doesn't hurt the Red Sox's bottom line. Bowden was designated for assignment by the Cubs about a week ago.
Well it had to be him or McDonald…
MacDime is counting down his days!
I can’t believe Darnell keeps beating people out when it comes to DFAs.
“He hit JUST .273” Thats not all that bad. Wasn’t he hitting under .200 before the trade
.273 is a good enough average for a 4th/5th outfielder…
His .288 obp is bad though.
That is what he is though, what do they want?
But if .273 is good only for a backup job, there wouldn’t be very many people qualified to start in the outfield
They want a better OBP.
That slashline is what he did with the Red Sox.
His defense was horrendous, too.
I would take him on the Phils. Thats about a 50 point increase over Mayberry, who should be DFA’d
Never thought I’d agree with you, but yes, he should be.
So this is what it feels like, when doves cry…..
Exactly. They’d gladly take a .200 hitter if he had a reasonable OBP.
I relize that is his red sox line.
From him personally, i feel they could ask no more than that from him
That’s why they’re moving on from him.
Was never saying they shouldnt. I could care less. All i was saying is that the article said ‘”just” and i thought it was odd.
“That is what he is though, what do they want?”
A better player? Roster space to add a pitcher?
Seriously, he was the 5th best healthy outfielder on the roster, and they needed room to add Daisuke. This was to be expected.
What about Darnell? I feel like Darnell is our ninth best outfielder.
Read what I wrote below, he’s better than Byrd.
Im saying what more could they want from him. Im pretty sure that he cannot give them a better player.
And im not stupid, seriously? Dont act like i asked a stupid question.
Byrd can give what he did. They cant ask him to miraculously become better
…The fact that he can’t give them anything better than that, and can’t miraculously become better, is exactly the reason they released him.
I was never argueing against his release. I have no interest in the sox. Im a nats fan. I originally was pointing out the article said “just” to his line and how that is what u should expect from him. And then commenters took off in the wrong direction from there.
Fair enough, but I think the article was referring to his slash line in context of their other options, and when compared to the other options on their roster the word “just” is applicable.
“If on-base percentage is so important, then why don’t they put it up on the scoreboard?” – Jeff Francoeur
Pujols was close to that a few days ago.
The “just” wasn’t referring to the .273 AVG… it was the .288 OBP and .333 SLG.
That stuck out to me also. .273 isn’t bad for a 400k, 35 year old center fielder who is in decline. Solid job by him sad he had to go.
34*
not sure if srs
The funny thing is Marlon Byrd could start somewhere in the OF for the Orioles.
Our outfield looked bad tonight. You could also add confused and lethargic as well to the mix. I guess this also means Scotty Pods stays for now. It’s funny during the free agency period, the Orioles felt they had better options already in their camp already when compared to Aoki and Ross. Tonight we had Chavez who looked clueless out there for second straight night. Flaherty is not an outfielder and Jones who might be hurt. Other than that our outfield is real solid! Just as solid as Arrieta is as the “Staff Ace”. I think the O’s joyride is over and yeah Marlon Byrd could start for us today.
“I’ll trade you Marlon Byrd for Robert Andino”
-Ben Cherrington GM, Boston Red Sox
I never said that!
I am almost certain, that ‘Ol Ben has thought it.
However, you are not getting Robert Andino.
darn
you also aren’t the actual Ben Cherrington and, more importantly, it was a joke.
im not so sure, look at his name seems legit
I’d venture a guess that he already knew both of those things.
Does that mean you are not the actual RedSx799?
I think everyone in the sox OF right now has to worry about there roster spot, including Cody Ross. Sox could be buyers & sellers at the trade deadline! I think Sweeney’s job is safe due to his season long play and defense and I think Nava will tail off, and be traded/DFAd.. Posednik looks really good and is fun to watch because of his speed but is a 5th OF at best, Ross struggles defensively but hits for power/RBI, McDonald is a clubhouse guy and if he was DFAd he would likely go down to Pawtucket and fight his way back up. Byrd was the odd man out and this is a good move. Good Luck to Marlon Byrd! Repko will also be DFAd when he can return! Id like to see Kalish & Ciriaco up in the MLB
Nava has been a pleasant surprise. rather have him then darnell if it comes down to that.
Ross is safe. Only way they move him at all is if they can get a solid arm in return and I just don’t see that happening.
Once all of their outfielders are healthy it will almost certainly be Crawford, Ellsbury, Ross/Sweeney platton, and either Nava or Pods (my money would be on Nava).
Kalish’s numbers in his rehab assignment so far (very small sample) had me thinking about the impending roster crunch of outfielders the other day. Who could realistically be traded for anything of value. I’m thinking maybe Ross or Pods if the Red Sox find themselves sliding a bit.
I’ll take him over Matt Diaz and Jose Constanza
Just remember, it’s pronounced Die-Az (I”ll have to hear that crap again from Michael Kay this year probably)
” it’s pronounced Die-Az”
HAHA I think it’s a toss up with Kay and Jerry Remy butchering names (Remy pronouncing names ending with “A” as sounding like “R” as example) as 2 of the worst in that regard and neither cares.. Rays Staats is another NE area new Yorker native is is brutal on names and makes no attempt to correct pronunciation many times after multiple failures.
good it was time he was let go. whos next, darnell???
Probably Pods and then D-Mac. While Pods has his utility, he’s a luxury item. D-Mac has versatility that makes him ever so slightly more important to retain.
I know D-Mac’s numbers are not good, but the fact is, its very hard to put up good numbers when you don’t get consistent playing time. D-Mac has his flashes of brilliance in the platoon role, but if someone goes on the DL for a hard core injury, D-Mac would possibly get a chance at some consistent playing time. If he fails then, he’ll certainly be DFA’d.
I wonder if there’s any chance that Byrd gets traded in the period if he’s not claimed on waivers?
“I wonder if there’s any chance that Byrd gets traded in the period if he’s not claimed on waivers?”
No offense, but look at what he was traded for earlier.. Bowden who was already DFA’d and a low A ball player in Cervenka who has little chance and he went to Boston, played poor defense, showed poor plate discipline and had 3 XBH in 100PA.
Pods may have more value should they DFA him…
Darnell’s only versatility is in how many ways he can lose a baseball game.
I saw Byrd in the KC series misplay several balls to CF. His talent level on both defense and offense has diminished. So he walks away with 6.5M thanks to the Cubs and a far lesser extent than the Sox. Maybe someone will pick him up since the price is now baseball chump change but don’t expect much. Next to go will be McD as Nava has shown some great pate patience and some productive AB’s. McD will be followed by Posednick unless, of course, Crawford is out forever.
Since the Cubs are paying him so much just pick him back up as the 4th OF.
Darnell McDonald must have naked pictures of Henry and his wife. That is the only explanation.
HAHAHA. I have been saying for over 2 years there has to be a reason he has hung around.. 2 managers keep him when he is of -0- use.. Cannot field nor hit.. Swings at any FB in his eyes and will “fish” for anything off speed in the dirt.. The 2011-12 version of a Billy Hall on the team that is utterly useless.
They just simply cannot keep him once Ross comes back.. No sane reason to at all.. Nava even is better, Pods can run better and Kalish..LH swinger and all will hopefully be back soon. Nobody will claim McDonald even if they do DFA him.. Boston isn’t that lucky.. He will probably end up at Pawtucket and eventually back on the MLB team for us to endure the agony all over again.
If he isn’t the next one DFA’s I’m going to drive down to Yawkey Way and picket, I think. I’ve been waiting for his release ever since he lost us game 6 last year with that baserunning gaffe. Ross, Nava, and Podsednik are all just better. I’m worried, though, because Bobby keeps STARTING him in games, which is just absurd.
(Sorry, I just really can’t stand Darnell. And he blocked me on twitter >= )
He’s better than Byrd at this point, so it makes sense that Byrd would go first, but I would imagine that McDonald is next on the list.
“He’s better than Byrd at this point”
Kind of debatable.. Miniscule upside and massive downside in both. Byrd, it was thought would be able to play *some* defense, but looks like that aspect of his game is gone now also, along with his bat while McDonald occasionally hits for some XBH ability and has the same poor glove at every position.. So that rare XBH ability on mcDonald’s part is his edge? Both have the same, little above average speed.
Yeah, pretty much the only thing separating the two is with Darnell there’s always a chance he runs into one (since 2010 he has almost as many home runs in half as many plate appearances); that and McDonald actually walks more than Byrd.
I’ll guess Pods next and then D-Mac. There’s a stronger connection there.
Maybe, but Pods is a better fielder, a better runner, and the only thing Darnell does better at the plate is hit for power.
BTW.. Since nothing official has been announced is probably the reason nothing has been posted here topic wise.. I also love the looks like Boston sign of
Tzu-Wei Lin nice to see them go back to the Taiwanese locale again after a 2-3 hiatus and Lin, plus couple others few years back.
Yeah, I’m hoping that’s for real, but you’d think that someone would at least be talking about the rumors even if nothing official has been announced. Speculation is that they are waiting until after his graduation (which is supposed to be today I think) to make it official.
I’m not getting my hopes up until it’s a done deal, but I like his potential.
Same here and also only that 1 single story regarding the sign.
I have no issues with Boston signing players with that talent style (super defense, speed etc..) and giving them 2m or so as a bonus to play for boston, it was just when they went and used a 1st overall pick for Marrero (24th) then followed it up with the #31 selection for another player who IMO didn’t have a tremendous upside was kind of upset.
Going the IFA route, like they did for Vinicio, Iglesias and now hopefully Lin is a better way (just cash) to fill that defensive position.
I still love the Marrero pick (kid was ranked as high as 5th coming into the year and they got him 24th), and Brian Johnson might not have a high ceiling, but he has a very high floor (his absolute floor is something like a left handed Scott Atchison, and most likely he’s at least a #5 starter in the majors; both of those things have a lot of value) and he wont cost a lot to sign. Signing easier signs early (and college seniors in rounds 6-10) keeps them from losing bonus pool money and is the only reason they were able to take guys like Buttrey, Callahan, Fulmer, and Martin later in the draft.
Byrd can at least hit. Darnell literally can’t do anything. He pinch runs and isn’t a good baserunner. He can’t field. He barely hits. Chases everything.
Basically the only explanation is blackmail. Or maybe they want to keep his girl around for that mini-broadcaster series that NESN is sheeping people into watching.
Since 2010 (when Darnell came to the Sox):
Byrd: 1265 PA, 22 HRs, .276/.325/.393, .718 OPS, .316 wOBA, 91 wRC+, 4.8 BB%
McDonald: 612 PA, 17 HRs, .250/.321/.416, .737 OPS, .324 wOBA, 96 wRC+, 8.7 BB%
The last time Byrd saw regular playing time he was:
.276/.324/.395, .719 OPS, .315 wOBA, 93 wRC+
The last time McDonald saw regular playing time he was:
.270/.336/.429, .766 OPS, .342 wOBA, 107 wRC+
I went to the super market today and wandered by the discontinued rack of items with 75% off. If I was a baseball GM and wandered by the Sox discount rack I would see the gritty Posednick, Byrd and reliever in waiting McD. So goes the life of a #25 roster spot.
With Byrd’s salary being the Cubs’ responsibility, I would be surprised if Byrd wasn’t claimed off waivers for another team’s bench.
this figures