12-31-2009, 02:28 PM
The Chicago Cubs made their first major addition of the offseason, signing former Texas Rangers outfielder Marlon Byrd to a three-year, $15 million deal on Thursday.
The Cubs hope Byrd can fill their center field void.
Byrd is a disciple of hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, who also will be starting his first season with the Cubs after coming over from the Rangers.
The 32-year-old Byrd had a career year in 2009, hitting .283 with 20 home runs and 89 RBIs. It was his first major league season with more than 500 at-bats; putting up career highs in games played (146), home runs, doubles (43) and RBIs.
Byrd is not a top-of-the-order hitter, posting just a .329 on-base percentage last season with just eight stolen bases. He'll most likely bat 5-7 in Lou Piniella's lineup.
The Cubs had been negotiating with the agents for Scott Podsednik and Rick Ankiel up until the deal with Byrd was finalized on Wednesday. Byrd is represented by agents Sam and Seth Levinson, who also represent Milton Bradley, who signed with the Cubs in the offseason of 2008.
Byrd was in Chicago on Wednesday taking a physical with the Cubs' team doctors. The deal is believed to be backloaded to give the Cubs a little more economic flexibility with their $140 million 2010 budget.
The Cubs still are seeking trades and free-agent signings. General manager Jim Hendry is looking to solidify his bullpen and maybe add one swing starting pitcher/long reliever.
The team has had several conversations with the agent for former White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras, and have had conversations with Colorado about outfielder Ryan Spilborghs, who would fill the role of the fourth outfielder behind Byrd, Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome.
The Cubs also have talked to the Toronto Blue Jays about bullpen pitchers. Former Oak Forest High School pitcher Jason Frasor is on the Cubs' radar. Frasor was a starter at Southern Illinois for four years.
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/ne...id=4785125
*I Hope He Doesn't Turn Out Like Bradley Did*
The Cubs hope Byrd can fill their center field void.
Byrd is a disciple of hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, who also will be starting his first season with the Cubs after coming over from the Rangers.
The 32-year-old Byrd had a career year in 2009, hitting .283 with 20 home runs and 89 RBIs. It was his first major league season with more than 500 at-bats; putting up career highs in games played (146), home runs, doubles (43) and RBIs.
Byrd is not a top-of-the-order hitter, posting just a .329 on-base percentage last season with just eight stolen bases. He'll most likely bat 5-7 in Lou Piniella's lineup.
The Cubs had been negotiating with the agents for Scott Podsednik and Rick Ankiel up until the deal with Byrd was finalized on Wednesday. Byrd is represented by agents Sam and Seth Levinson, who also represent Milton Bradley, who signed with the Cubs in the offseason of 2008.
Byrd was in Chicago on Wednesday taking a physical with the Cubs' team doctors. The deal is believed to be backloaded to give the Cubs a little more economic flexibility with their $140 million 2010 budget.
The Cubs still are seeking trades and free-agent signings. General manager Jim Hendry is looking to solidify his bullpen and maybe add one swing starting pitcher/long reliever.
The team has had several conversations with the agent for former White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras, and have had conversations with Colorado about outfielder Ryan Spilborghs, who would fill the role of the fourth outfielder behind Byrd, Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome.
The Cubs also have talked to the Toronto Blue Jays about bullpen pitchers. Former Oak Forest High School pitcher Jason Frasor is on the Cubs' radar. Frasor was a starter at Southern Illinois for four years.
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/ne...id=4785125
*I Hope He Doesn't Turn Out Like Bradley Did*