Orioles Outfield Search Could Lead to Marlon Byrd

So the Major League Baseball GM winter meetings came and went and Cole Hamels is still a member of the Phillies - for now at least.

While the Phillies did add a little shock value to the week by moving franchise staple Jimmy Rollins and relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo - Hamels and others are still here, but that doesn't mean their name wasn't brought up and a future move could happen.

One deal discussed, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports, the Phillies offered the Orioles Ryan Howard in a package with Marlon Byrd. The Orioles are in search of a outfielder and have interest in Byrd, but the Phillies might insist that Howard is a part of the deal - which of course could kill the deal.

Howard, of course, is owed $60 million over the next two seasons, so taking on Howard’s contract to get a good, not great player in Byrd would seem to be a bit far-fetched. Byrd does make sense for the Orioles, who have lost Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz to free agency, and there isn't a whole lot of outfield talent on the market - so a trade would seem, to be the best way to add an outfielder for Baltimore. The 37-year-old Byrd hit .264 with 25 home runs this season and is owed $8 million in 2015. His contract also includes an $8 million vesting option for 2016.

Filed Under: Antonio Bastardo, Cole Hamels, Jimmy Rollins, Marlon Byrd, Orioles, Phillies, Phillies trade rumors, Ryan Howard

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