It is being reported today that the Cubs have signed Marlon Byrd.
The deal is for 3 years and $15 million.
Not a bad deal, actually.
I never would have thought that Byrd would go for only $5 million a year.
There isn't a deal out there as good which didn't involve a trade.
And at $5 million a year, if Byrd doesn't work out, he is tradeable.
Take into consideration the contracts for other questionable (and risky) outfielders over the last couple years that the Cubs have signed...
Fukudome 4/48...
Bradley 3/30...
well
Byrd 3/15 is quite a departure for the Cubs.
This is not a bad deal for the Cubs.
Update...according the Gordon Wittenmyer the contract is backloaded...
$3 million in '10
$5.5 million in '11
$6.5 million in '12
2 comments:
If anything this deal allows the cubs to do what they once weren't able to do... Grow their prospects in the minors. With Byrd Colvin can blossom down in the minors rather than forcing him into the starting lineup too soon. Felix Pie comes to mind. I think if anything it also allows us to platoon in right once Colvin is ready.(.164 Fukudome avgagainst rhp). We also have somebody to back up our olympic hopping left fielder.
And a normal player that won't affect our clubhouse. Rather than Bradley being Bradley.
All very good points.
Patterson was also rushed by the Cubs.
The crop youth waiting in the minors right now is good, Colvin, Castro and Vitters...not rushing them can do two things...first it lets them develop to be productive major leaguers. Second, it also allows them to use these players in trades. The Cubs have a history of rushing players up, and when they don't work out, trading them away for near nothing. Taking their time and not exposing them too much to major league pitching can help these kids retain value.
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