@Philabaseball
The Phillies have inked free-agent outfielder Marlon Byrd to a two-year deal worth $16 million. The deal is pending a routine physical.
The 36-year-old hit .291/.336/.511 with 35 doubles, 24 homers, 88 RBI and 75 runs with the Mets and Pirates last season. He also drove in five runs in six postseason games with Pittsburgh.
Byrd was suspended for 50 games in 2012 following a positive test for a Tamoxifen, a drug that reduces side effects of steroid use and increases in testosterone. At the time, Byrd said he mistakenly used the medication and did not use it for performance enhancement.
Byrd played in the Mexican League last winter, trying to get back on the radar of major league teams. He hit only .210 with one homer in 47 games between the Red Sox and Cubs in 2012 before serving a 50-game suspension. He signed a minor league deal with the Mets last year and emerged as the club's starting right fielder.
A 12-year veteran, Byrd was drafted and developed by the Phillies. He was their 10th rounder in 1999, debuted for the Phillies in 2002 and was with them until he was traded to the Nationals in 2005.
The move looks to leave Darin Ruf without an everyday position as Ben Revere and Domonic Brown have the other outfield positions secured.
- Patrick Gordon is Managing Editor of the Philadelphia Baseball Review. Follow him on Twitter @Philabaseball.
