Marlon Byrd

2013

There was no outlook written for Marlon Byrd.

2012

Byrd is in the final year of his three-year, $15 million contract, and there's a good chance he'll be plying his trade somewhere else before the end of 2012. The Theo Epstein/Jed Hoyer Cubs are likely to give top prospect Brett Jackson a shot before long, and even if Jackson proves unready, the 34-year-old Byrd isn't a viable solution in center field even in the medium term. Byrd is average at best defensively, doesn't draw walks and hits for only modest power. His .282 career batting average might buy him at-bats somewhere, but he's not the type of player the newly enlightened Cubs are likely to write into the lineup on a regular basis.

2011

After a strong first half (.317/.365/.480) that almost seemed to justify his three-year deal, Byrd collapsed after the All-Star break (.261/.321/.361), reminding us why you don't offer multi-year deals to outfielders in their 30s, coming off of career years in a hitter's parks. In the end, Byrd's line was almost identical to his Texas one minus some homers (and attendant slugging percentage), which anyone could have predicted given the change in home venue. Byrd's defense in center is merely average, but his deal likely ensures he begins the year as the team's starting center fielder as Tyler Colvin is probably more suited to a corner spot. That said, with Alfonso Soriano carrying an untradeable contract and top prospect Brett Jackson (also more suited to a corner spot) knocking on the door, there's a chance Colvin and/or Jackson cost Byrd at-bats before the season's out.

2010

Byrd picked a nice time to have the best season of his career, swatting 43 doubles and 20 home runs while driving in 89 runs as an everyday player in Texas' outfield. He parlayed his season into a three-year, $15 million contract with the Cubs and will take over everyday duty in center field. His OPS totals on the road the past three seasons have not been good (.715, .773 and .740), so there's going to be unreachable expectations for him in Wrigley Field. He was little more than a reserve outfielder prior to coming to Texas, and could well be the sequel to Gary Matthews Jr.

2009

Byrd battled knee problems as the season wore on, but managed a nice season on the whole: .298, 46 walks, 53 RBI in 122 games fueled by a .393/.468/.607 August. Milton Bradley's assumed departure will open up a spot in the Texas lineup, and Byrd figures to see a healty number of at-bats in a reserve role at a minimum.

2008

Byrd used a .398/.438/.582 line in June following a late May callup as a springboard to regular playing time for the remainder of the season. There was even talk about a long-term contract. His post-break numbers (.269/.310/.417) likely saved Texas from an albatross of sorts as the talk of Byrd being the center fielder of the future has died off. He'll be back to a reserve outfielder role after the trade for Josh Hamilton.

2007

Byrd used up his last chance in Washington, failing to carve out even a portion of the center field job. He'll start fresh in a new organization, and hope for an opportunity to catch on as a fourth OF.

2006

Byrd seems to be settling into his range, as his 2005 numbers were nearly identical to his "breakout" 2003 with the Phillies, minus about 40 points of batting average. Outfielders who are only useful if they're hitting .300 -- and who can't hit .300 consistently -- tend not to have long careers in the majors, so don't invest too heavily in Byrd.

2005

The sophomore jinx hit Byrd, as the athletic center fielder stumbled out of the gate and was eventually sent to Triple-A for a month. He's no more the .228 hitter he showed in 2004 than he is the .303 hitter he was in 2003, but the Phillies want to contend in 2005 and won't wait on him long. Byrd has a few .270-20-80-20 seasons in him, but with the Kenny Lofton trade he won't have the playing time opportunity to start the season.

2004

Byrd started out slow in 2003, but a torrid final four months of the season helped put the Phils on the brink of the playoffs. He especially heated up in September, with a .330 batting average and .411 on-base percentage, stealing six of his 11 bases. Byrd had arthroscopic surgery to repair posterior labrum tear in left shoulder after the season, but is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.

2003

At Triple-A Scranton, Byrd hit .297 with 15 steals, 15 homers, 63 RBI. He'll start in centerfield, and likely hit eighth. He's got speed, but won't get the opportunity to showcase it unless Rollins slumps again in 2003.