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After the Giants rejected his team option, Marlon Byrd finds himself looking for a job. He is coming off a slash of .247/.290/.453 with 23 homeruns and 73 RBIs. Byrd’s career has been a nice one, not hall of fame quality, but one to be proud of. This is likely to be his last time testing free agency (as he is now 39) and he could be had for cheap. His defense in left field is slightly below average as he posted a -8.0/UZR 150 but did have a 1 in defensive runs saved (DRS). He could be an Alexei Ramirez type, one that is a one-year stop-gap option that could be valuable as a veteran leader in a clubhouse needing to develop young players. His power is still there, as proven by his 20+ home runs from a year ago, and could be a nice fit in the 5 hole in the order, if the Padres decide to bring in another outfielder. Worth mentioning, he is not attached to a draft pick, so Preller wouldn’t be losing one of his large stash.
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