clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Reds acquire Marlon Byrd from Phillies

The Reds get their outfielder in a deal with the Phillies.

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Phillies and Reds have struck a deal that will send outfielder Marlon Byrd and cash considerations to Cincinnati, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. Pitching prospect Ben Lively is heading to Philadelphia in the deal, though it is currently unknown if other players are involved.

The Phillies are known to be shopping their veterans, as Byrd joins Jimmy Rollins and Antonio Bastardo on their way out of Philadelphia this winter. Byrd drew significant interest at the trade deadline from power-hungry teams like the Mariners and Royals, but had a no-trade clause that served as a significant obstacle to those deals. Cincinnati has been on the lookout for right-handed power all winter, and will now rely on Byrd as one of their starting outfielders along with Billy Hamilton and Jay Bruce, who has also been mentioned as a trade candidate.

Byrd, 37, continued his career resurgence with the Phillies last season, hitting .264/.312/.445 with 25 home runs and 85 RBI in 154 games. He will provide some pop for a Reds team that was linked to free-agents Norichika Aoki and Mike Morse this winter after being linked to the Orioles in rumors this offseason.

Lively, 22, was the Reds' fourth-round pick in the 2013 draft and spent last season split between High-A Bakersfield and Double-A Pensacola. He was 13-7 with a 3.04 ERA in 26 combined starts on the season, paving his way to being ranked by MLB.com as the team's eighth-best prospect after the season. Lively is known for a deceptive delivery and ability to throw four pitches for strikes, and is thought of as a candidate to reach the majors quickly.