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Will Texas re-sign Marlon Byrd?
Written by Zach Sanders   
Wednesday, 26 August 2009 12:10
The 2009 season has been a career year for Rangers outfielder Marlon Byrd. It's been one of his most consistent at the plate. He's hit 15 home runs and 38 doubles, both career highs, and is on his way to a career high in RBI. He also has a career best .483 SLG this season. He's done this all in various spots in the middle of the Rangers lineup. Byrd plays the game the right way, no flash, but hard-nosed. Byrd wants to stay in Texas:

I've seen what's been built up in this organization for three years," Byrd said. "We have a winning team, and in 2010 and 2011 we'll keep restocking. I love what the front office is doing with JD, Thad and Nolan and the coaching staff and leadership here. This is the team that gave me a chance.
Byrd is right, Texas has given him a chance and he has rewarded them with his play this season. He's also a clubhouse leader and respected veteran. Byrd is a right-handed bat, and the Rangers need that in a group that includes Byrd, Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, and Julio Borbon. That's five players for three outfield spots and one DH spot. Only Byrd and Cruz are right-handed. As T.R. Sullivan said, it's an athletic group. One one hand, Byrd should be rewarded for the way he's played since arriving in Texas in 2007.
On the other hand, Sullivan also notes the economics of striking a deal could be difficult. Byrd is 32 and is probably looking for a "future-securing contract." Byrd is an unrestricted free agent who will want a multi-year deal. His price tag is already $3.06 million for 2009. Based on this season, his asking price will only increase. The Rangers are also hamstrung financially. While it's tough to say what price and length of years it would take to keep Byrd in a Rangers uniform, the bottom line is that any contract will cost the Rangers more money than they're paying Byrd now. On top of that, he'll be looking for security in any deal.

As much as Byrd wants to stay, he also knows it could be difficult working out a deal. "Hopefully something will work out and I stay here, but it's tough because you have so many great outfielders in Triple-A and here right now. I don't know if it will be a fit." Adding to those previously mentioned five outfielders are Greg Golson and Brandon Boggs, both in Triple-A waiting for their shot in Texas. They're also cheaper than Byrd. The team could save money by bringing one, or both, of them up and cutting ties with Byrd. Byrd could be a Type-A free agent, which would net the Rangers draft picks.

In my opinion, Byrd is worth holding onto for another two seasons if the price is right. With that said, it's in Texas' best interest to either sign him cheap or let him go and give their young players a chance. An outfield of Hamilton, Murphy, and Cruz is still a good outfield. Byrd is a journeyman who will be 32, which means he's getting up there in age. Texas has some young talent knocking on the door. 2010 will be the time to give them a chance.


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