The Boston Red Sox released outfielder Marlon Byrd yesterday making the journeyman a free agent once again. At the age of 34, it's easy to wonder just how much Byrd has left in the tank for a team, but it's clear that there are interested parties according to the early buzz. It's likely only a matter of time until Byrd finds a new home.
Source says there have been a number of inquiries on Marlon Byrd, but no deal imminent
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) June 13, 2012
It wasn't that long ago (2010) that Byrd was the Chicago Cubs All-Star representative in a season he hit .293 with 12 home runs and 66 RBI. Two years later, his OPS is an atrocious .488 between the Cubs and BoSox which figures into why he was let go for nothing on Tuesday. But let's not forget that Byrd is a career .278 hitter who hit .276 just last season.
So what about the Kansas City Royals? Should they be in on Byrd? A flexible outfielder who makes contact could be an asset for a team short on options. The Royals continue to move the same guys back and forth between Omaha and Kansas City, but no one is that excited about Jason Bourgeois. Lorenzo Cain remains in rehab, and Byrd is experienced enough at all outfield positions.
Perhaps Byrd will be seen as no better than the quadruple-A players who are currently manning the bottom of the outfield depth chart in Kansas City, but it's possible that Byrd could serve as a solid veteran asset off of the bench and provide some flexibility for a team hurting for depth.