Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Phillies are finalizing a two-year deal with Marlon Byrd.

Adam Rubin of ESPN New York hears from a source that Byrd's two-year contract with the Phillies is worth $16 million.

The deal also includes an $8 million club/vesting option for 2016, which vests if he gets to 600 plate appearances in 2015, or if he totals 1,100 in 2014-15 and has at least 550 in 2015.

(ESPN baseball insider Jerry Crasnick talks about the Marlon Byrd deal with Mike Gill)

“Marlon adds a significant upgrade both offensively and defensively to our outfield,” said Amaro.  “He has been particularly productive against left-handed pitching which was a serious challenge for us this past season.  He is an experienced middle-of-the-order hitter who creates some balance to our lineup.  With his talent and clubhouse presence, we believe Marlon will be a solid addition to our club as we address our needs and plan to contend in 2014 and beyond.”

Byrd, 36, is coming off a resurgent season in which he hit .291with 24 home runs and 88 RBI in 147 games between the Mets and Pirates. Byrd was originally drafted by the Phillies in 1999 and played with the team from 2002-2005.

The Phillies are hoping that Byrd can provide some right-handed power in their lineup to help protect Ryan Howard - something they haven't been able to find since Jayson Werth left the team.

Byrd was suspended 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug back in 2012, the same season that he was released by the Red Sox.

Overall, I am not a big fan of this move by Ruben Amaro Jr., Byrd who did have a fine season with the Pirates and Mets, will be 37 years old by the end of the season.  Though we don't know the money yet, I would have felt much better taking a chance, bringing in Michael Morse, a big right-handed hitter that hit 31 homers in Washington in 2011.

While Morse is coming off wrist surgery, he should be fully healed by the time the Phillies report to Clearwater.  This just seems like another Delmon Young, stop-gap, type of deal that I had hoped the Phillies would start moving away from.

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