According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the New York Yankees have inquired about possibly trading for Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Marlon Byrd. The Yankees are one of the teams that does not appear on Byrd’s no-trade clause. Heyman also notes that although they are talking, no deal is in place or close.
The Yankees have been lacking consistency from their offense this season. Their strong suit is actually their outfield, which has consisted of Brett Gardner, who has had a recent power surge (4 homers in last three games), Jacoby Ellsbury and Ichiro Suzuki. Even with their offensive success of their outfielders, New York lacks the depth they need and a bat with power, which makes an addition of a power bat one of their top priorities.
Marlon Byrd, 36, slashed .291/.336/.511 in 117 games for the New York Mets and 30 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates, hitting 24 home runs and driving in 88 runs, as well as a 136 OPS+ and a 5.1 WAR. This season with the Phillies, he has slashed .273/.321/.482 with 20 homers, 60 runs batted in, a 122 OPS+ and a 2.8 WAR.
Byrd will make $8 million this season and the same amount next year. He also has a vesting option, also worth $8 million, for 2016. The vesting option is activated if he either (1) accumulates 600 plate appearances in 2015 or (2) accumulates 550 plate appearances that year and a total of 1100 plate appearances in 2014 and 2015.
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