Cleveland Indians Sign Outfielder Marlon Byrd

According to reports, the Cleveland Indians have signed free agent outfielder Marlon Byrd.

Byrd is a right-handed hitting outfielder known for his power. Despite turning 38 last August, Byrd hit 23 home runs playing for the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants (no one on the 2015 Indians even hit 20). He’s hit over 20 home runs each of the past three seasons as well.  He’s also had an ISO (isolated power) over .200 two of the past three seasons, including last year (.206).  The only Cleveland Indian to have an ISO over .200 last season was Ryan Raburn (who is now with the Colorado Rockies). Even with expected rebounds from guys like Yan Gomes, Carlos Santana, and Mike Napoli (whose .187 ISO in 2015 is tops on the club), the addition of Byrd to the lineup could really help. 

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At his age though he shouldn’t be expected to play every day. While he did manage to play in 135 games in 2015, his offense as a whole has been in decline. After a huge 2013 season that saw him post a 138 wRC+ (weighted runs created), he’s seen that number drop to 109 in 2014 and 100 in 2015. He’s still league average though and more importantly, can still hit left-handed pitching.  Last season he hit .271 with a .820 OPS, .225 ISO and 121 wRC+ versus southpaws.

He also played a rather solid defensive right field in 2015.  He posted a +1 DRS (defensive runs saved) and +3.1 UZR (ultimate zone rating) in right field. For his career he’s been even better, posting a +26 DRS and +16.7 UZR.  He’s also played a solid left field with a +2 DRS and +0.9 UZR for his career.  He’s capable of playing left field with Michael Brantley out (or if he’s out) as well as right field, where I think he makes a perfect platoon partner with Lonnie Chisenhall.

It is just a minor league deal that Byrd has signed, so there’s no guarantee he even makes the club. However, given his track record and the Tribe’s need for a right-handed hitting platoon in right field, he seems like a perfect fit, as I’ve mentioned several times before.

Next: Brantley to play in MiLB game

At the end of the day, Marlon Byrd is a great replacement for Raburn. Not quite as good offensively against left-handed pitching, but unlike Raburn, Byrd is not a liability in the field. It will be interesting to see how quickly he can get up to game speed and if he’ll be ready by opening day. Hopefully, he doesn’t get rushed to the point where he becomes a Johnny Damon type issue but there’s still a good two and a half weeks to get him ready. While this may seem like a ho-hum type signing to most, I for one am excited. A buy-low deal with almost no downside with some actual upside.