We heard the other day that a Marlon Byrd trade to the Cincinnati Reds fell through. However, we also learned was a chance that it would still get done. Today, the Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds agreed on a deal that sent Byrd to the Reds, according to a report.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports:
Sources: #Phillies and #Reds have a deal involving Marlon Byrd. RHP Ben Lively one of players headed to PHI. Announcement coming today.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 31, 2014
Byrd owed $8M in 2015 and has $8M vesting option for ‘16. #Phillies expected to send significant cash to #Reds in trade.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 31, 2014
The Reds had to slash payroll this season, so perhaps money was the holdup.
The Phillies are receiving a pitcher that is ranked the Reds' number eight prospect on MLB.com's prospect ranking. The scouting report on MLB.com states:
Lively's average stuff combined with plus deception have some thinking of him as the right-handed version of Tony Cingrani. The Reds can only hope this Central Florida product can follow the same quick path to Cincinnati.
None of Lively's pitches jump off the page, but he does have four of them that he can throw for strikes. His fastball can touch 93-94 mph, and his slider shows signs of being a potential above-average pitch, as well. Lively mixes in his curve and changeup well to keep hitters guessing. All of his stuff plays up because of his unusual delivery in which his arm stays hidden, making it tough for hitters to pick up the ball.
It only took Cingrani a year to make an impact in Cincy. Lively could be on a similar fast track.
Lively was a fourth round draft pick in 2013 for the Reds.
Lively split 2014 between Class A and Class AA, making 13 starts for each. Lively could begin in either AA Reading or AAA Lehigh Valley, depending on what the Phillies see in Spring Training, if the team also sees Lively on the fast track. AA is probably the better bet, but he may not spend all of 2015 in AAA.
Yesterday Byrd said on Twitter to user @TheBigBurrini that he hoped to be back with the Phillies in 2015:
@TheBigBurrini I appreciate it and I want to be back in 2015 as well!
— marlon byrd (@mjbsr6) December 31, 2014
Byrd had a productive year for the Phillies in 2014, batting .264 with 25 home runs and 85 RBI.
With a deal involving exchange of money, the commissioner's office must approve. Being that this a holiday, who knows will this deal would get completed.
Phillies fans can follow Lively on twitter at @BenLively19.
