REDS ACQUIRE SLUGGER BYRD FROM PHILLY
The Cincinnati Reds acquired outfielder Marlon Byrd and cash from the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Ben Lively.
What does it give the Cincinnati Reds
The Reds desperately needed a right-hand-hitting power bat to place between first baseman {P Joey Votto} and right-fielder {P Jay Bruce}, so adding veteran Byrd seems like a nice fit here. Now 37, Byrd should play left field in Cincinnati (unless Bruce is dealt, as was rumored earlier in the off-season) and be an upgrade over free agent {P Ryan Ludwick} and the traded {P Chris Heisey} (now with the Dodgers).
What does it give the Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are trying to rebuild, so Byrd is the second big piece of their offense traded away this off-season (after long-time shortstop {P Jimmy Rollins} was moved to the Dodgers). It creates a hole in the outfield and the batting order, since Byrd was a key right-handed bat in the middle of the order. With him gone, perhaps {P Darin Ruf} might get another chance to play regularly in the outfield. Lively was one of Cincinnati's top pitching prospects and is a nice pickup for the Phils' rebuild.
Fantasy impact
Byrd shouldn't lose much production moving to Cincinnati, as both the Phillies and Reds play in hitter-friendly confines. He is getting up there in age, however, so buyer beware. Lively is a fairly solid prospect who may move more quickly in the Philly organization, so his fantasy stock is definitely on the rise. The big winner in this deal could be Ruf (if given another chance to play every day).
