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Like many other players, outfielder Marlon Byrd is a free agent. With that said, however, he's a free agent who knows where he wants to play in 2010. "My first choice is and has always been the Rangers," Byrd told Rangers beat reporter T.R. Sullivan. The Rangers have also expressed interest in renewing the relationship. "We want him back," said Rangers general manager Jon Daniels. It would seem the two sides should be close to a deal that would keep Byrd in Arlington for at least the next couple seasons. Not quite.
Early discussions between Daniels and Byrd's agent Sam Levinson have not been what we could describe as "productive." "I was more optimistic at the end of the season," Byrd said. "I thought we would get something done at the end of the season like the Angels did with Bobby Abreu. But I guess they are looking at other options." Abreu resigned with the Angels for 2 years and $19 million, with a $9 million option for 2012. The only demand Byrd has made it that he would like a multi-year deal. The 32-year old outfielder put up career numbers in 2009. Byrd hit .283/.329/.479 with a career high 20 home runs 89 RBI, and 155 hits. He also scored 66 runs and hit a career-high 43 doubles.
At the same time Byrd wants to return to the Rangers, he talking like a player who won't return. "I think I have a good chance to find a place to play based on what I've done in Texas the past three years and being able to play all three positions," Byrd said. "I think a lot of other teams are looking for an outfielder with versatility who can play all three positions." Byrd is versatile and can play all three outfield positions. His salary was $3.06 million. He could be an attractive, yet older, alternative to the Matt Hollidays, Jason Bays, and Johnny Damons of this offseason's group of free agent outfielders.
He's just looking for the right numbers. Which are presumably more than $3.06 million per season for two or three seasons. Byrd was a clubhouse leader for Texas. Not every player can be comfortable in that role. Byrd is also a right-handed bat. Of the players in the Rangers outfield, only he and Nelson Cruz are right-handed.
At the same time, Texas is the team that gave Byrd a chance in 2007. The Rangers are the team that put Byrd in the position to earn a new contract. Byrd should be sensitive to that. He and his agent should let discussions play out before declaring his days as a member of the Rangers are over. The Rangers are a financially hamstrung team who have cheaper options waiting in their deep farm system (Greg Golson and Brandon Boggs). They'll also be looking at alternatives because Byrd could be pricing himself out of their range.
Byrd's future is as up in the air as it was in August when I originally wrote about Byrd's future. You probably could've saved yourself some time and just read that article. Not much information has changed, except Byrd's free agent status has gone from probable to actual. We also know the Pirates and Blue Jays need corner outfielders. The Giants and Mariners need offense, the Nationals need a right fielder, and the Mets, Braves, and Reds need left fielders who can hit. Byrd can play defense and can hit. Even if he's confined to those teams, he should have more suitors than just the Rangers depending on how other teams view him.
Byrd intimated that he wanted to remain in Texas. Yet, he's also said "I don't know what my worth is on the market, but I guess I'm going to find out. I didn't want to find out. I wanted to be in Texas." Reaching free agency does not mean Byrd will not return to the Rangers. Plenty of time remains for Jon Daniels and Sam Levinson to reach a multi-year deal for Byrd, as long as the money's right. Reading his comments, however, it looks like he'll find out exactly what kind of outfielder other teams view him as. Byrd can't be blamed for wanting the Rangers to resign him prior to the free agency period. He can be blamed for seemingly giving up on Texas because the team did not re-sign him when the Angels re-signed Bobby Abreu.
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