Marlon Byrd Trade a Great Move for Philadelphia Phillies
By Pete Schwichtenberg
@schwick26_pete
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Another veteran is gone in Philadelphia and it’s about time.
After sitting on their hands at the trading deadline last July, the Philadelphia Phillies have moved Jimmy Rollins, Anthony Bastardo and now Marlon Byrd in hopes to rebuild. With plenty more dead weight on the roster, the Phillies need more moves like this one during the rest of the winter.
Last season, when the Phillies signed Byrd to a two-year contract, it made little sense.
He was brought on to a team of veterans who were past their prime and not close to competing for a National League East crown. Though he was one of their better offensive run producers slugging 25 home runs and driving in 85, the then 36-year-old was not brought on to be a part of future success in Philadelphia. His departure is yet another signal that the rebuild is moving in full force.
In dealing him to the Cincinnati Reds, the team has been able to get a young controllable arm in Ben Lively, who should be ready to compete in the rotation very soon. Last season, Lively showed his strikeout ability by sitting down 171 hitters 151 innings pitched. He finished the year advancing through two levels posting a 3.04 ERA. Perhaps his best stat from last season was his 1.12 combined WHIP.
When the Phillies looked to build their dynasty years ago, they parted with many of their high- and low-level prospects. These traded players now have made major impacts on their current teams. Lively is a start to bringing a young and controllable live arm to the Phillies rotation.
With Ryan Howard, Jonathan Papelbon, Domonic Brown and Cole Hamels still for sale, high level prospects like Lively are the type that can help to speed up the rebuild.
Pete Schwichtenberg is a MLB writer for Rantsports. Follow @schwick26_pete, Like him on Facebook, or Add him to your Google Network.
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