NEW YORK — In an effort to add some balance to their outfield, the Mets reached an agreement with 11-year veteran Marlon Byrd on a minor league contract that includes an invitation to Spring Training.
With an outfield that is set to
have three left-handed starters in Lucas Duda, Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Mike
Baxter, the 35-year-old right hander will compete with Andrew Brown for the
fifth outfielder spot.
Another capable righty, Collin
Cowgill, is thought to already have a bench spot locked up after hitting .269
with nine RBI in 116 plate appearances for Oakland last season.
Byrd posted a .210 batting
average with one homer and nine RBI last year, splitting time between the
Cubs and Red Sox. His season was cut short after testing positive for
performance enhancing drugs, resulting in a 50-game suspension.
“I made an inexcusable mistake,”
Byrd was quoted as saying at the time. “I will serve my suspension, continue to
work hard and hope that I am given an opportunity to help a club win later this
season.”
With the addition of Byrd, the possibility
of a potential deal with Michael Bourn getting done has decreased drastically as
the Mets are unwilling to relinquish their first-round pick in the Draft to sign him.
Byrd has been given the
opportunity to help a club win he had hoped for. It is now up to him to do
something with it.
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