Report: OF Marlon Byrd returning to Phillies

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Ruben Amaro Jr. and the Phillies are set to reunite with outfielder Marlon Byrd, according to multiple reports including Michael Barkann on 94 WIP who broke the news.

When first hearing about the signing, there are two facts that stick out in Byrd's bio. The right-handed bat is now 36 years old and was almost out of baseball after being suspended for violating MLB's PED policy in 2012.

He put up solid numbers in 2013 splitting time between the Mets and the Pirates, the latter of which he helped to their first postseason in decades: 291/.336/.511 with 24 home runs and 88 RBIs in 147 games.

Assuming the 2-year deal is at a bargain price, the reaction around the web seems to be "it could have been worse," which speaks to fans' confidence in Ruben Amaro these days. The Phils needed a right-handed outfield bat and if Byrd can replicate the numbers he put up last season, he'll be a nice stop gap.

UPDATE: Adam Rubin of ESPN is reporting the 2-year deal to be worth $16 million which certainly seems like a lot. Byrd made $700,000 last season.

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