Phillies Deal Marlon Byrd to the Reds for Pitching Help

According to FOX Sports' MLB reporter Ken Rosenthal the Reds are set to acquire Marlon Byrd from the Phillies.  Rosenthal hears that prospect right-hander Ben Lively is one of the players headed back to Philadelphia in the deal.  Rosenthal also tweets that the Reds will receive a significant amont of money in the deal to cover Byrd’s remaining salary.

Byrd is owed $8 million in 2015 and has an $8 million vesting option for 2016.

He was a fourth round pick in the 2013 draft by the Reds.  Its is another arm that the Phillies have added to the system this offseason, it seems that part of the plan is stockpiling young arms and hopefully one-or-two that can help the major league club.

Byrd, 37, had a solid year in Philadelphia hitting .264 with 25 home runs and 85 RBI and has a good chance to continue to post solid power numbers in Cincinnati.

This leaves the Phillies with a gaping hole in the middle of the line-up and an opening in right field.  Byrd was the Phillies most consistent hitter and gave them something teams are desperate for - right-handed power.  With Byrd gone, the Phillies can either give Jeff Francoeur a shot to win the position in spring training or move Dom Brown to right and use Grady Sizemore in left.

Neither scenario sounds enticing, so maybe the Phillies are planning on moving Cody Asche or Maikel Franco to the outfield - although I doubt Franco will be the one heading to the outfield if someone moves it most likely would be Asche.