Fangraphs writeup is pretty much the general reaction. Byrd is decent, not great, best part about the deal is that it isn't Nelson Cruz. Doesn't move the Phillies needle without another move.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/phillies ... certainty/

ReadingPhilly wrote:deitch insisting they want to make a major trade and this is a security blanket if they can't do so.

Do you sign your security blanket before making a major move?

Just shellin out that sweet sweet TV money.

heyeaglefn wrote:

JFLNYC wrote:Byrd will not move the needle enough in any way to be significant, so why Rube had to move so quickly is anyone's guess. But, really, was there a better available alternative at a reasonable price?

By signing someone this early, they are guessing that there wasn't. But counting on a 36 year old Byrd who magically had a career season last year to keep it up is probably not the best thing.

Even half of a 5-win type season would be huge

Why can't us for once

Eem wrote:

ReadingPhilly wrote:deitch insisting they want to make a major trade and this is a security blanket if they can't do so.

Do you sign your security blanket before making a major move?

i get the feeling he thinks dom is on his way out for a big bat and byrd replaces brown. security blanket probably isn't the best term.

FWIW, Fangraphs predicted 2/15 for Byrd

yeah Deitch mentions Stanton (haha), Kemp, Cespedes

Brown is too young for rubes liking we need candy van to become a gm

He says he thinks Byrd is a security blanket if they can't make a major trade, which means we're doing it!! We're trading for Giancarlo Moyer!!!

This is such a neo-Ruben move; hopefully it's only just to set up a WHALE HUNT

2/16 is blowing my mind. This guy was contemplating retirement if he didn't make the mets last year

Woody wrote:This is such a neo-Ruben move; hopefully it's only just to set up a WHALE HUNT

What do you mean? We Got Him!! We Got Rube's Whale!!!!!!

my cousin mose wrote:

Woody wrote:This is such a neo-Ruben move; hopefully it's only just to set up a WHALE HUNT

What do you mean? We Got Him!! We Got Rube's Whale!!!!!!

he harpooned a bird

Grotewold wrote:FWIW, Fangraphs predicted 2/15 for Byrd

yeah Deitch mentions Stanton (haha), Kemp, Cespedes

feel like joey bats could be surprise play.

ReadingPhilly wrote:

Grotewold wrote:FWIW, Fangraphs predicted 2/15 for Byrd

yeah Deitch mentions Stanton (haha), Kemp, Cespedes

feel like joey bats could be surprise play.

I would love this

I'm not one to quote Crashburn or his crew, but this is pretty damn funny:

It’s not an offseason until Ruben Amaro comes flailing into the free agent market like a freshly birthed giraffe. And we didn’t have to wait too long this go around. The timing is, to say the least, distressing. Handing Byrd something substantially more than a low risk one off affair long before any of the most coveted outfielders in free agency are off the table suggests either that Amaro is establishing some cost certainty before pursuing an even less advisable contract, or plans on bestowing upon Byrd the Delmon Young Memorial “Inexplicably Penciled-In Starter” Prize for 2014.

I'm pretty sure Revere is gone for someone. Some times last year we only had two real outfielders. I guess there's some security in that not happening again.

heyeaglefn wrote:

kruker wrote:I'm fine with this. Could have been much worse. I expect him to suck, but at least it'll be on a 2 year deal.

You are fine with them signing a player for 2 years at 8 million at the beginning of FA because it could have been much worse? Is this really what we've come to expect?

Yes and yes. I don't have much criticism left in the tank for Rube.

I bet schillingfan is thrilled by this, btw.

Byrd is a guy who has had one weird career. Had a fine rookie year at the not young age of 25. Fell off a cliff and didn't have his second good year until age 29. Had a pretty fair run from age 29-31. Then he fell off another cliff, assisted by PEDs.

Finally has his best season last year at the age of 35.

He is a good corner outfield defender it looks like. Never was a base stealer but was a pretty fast runner when young.

He has more value than Delmon Young most likely. Biggest question is when he will fall offa cliff again. Third time will be the last I'd bet.

He's no Wiley Coyote.

He is an unusual player. Another one of those guys the computers could never quite get a handle on.

Frankly, I'm thrilled we now have at least one OF who can play defense.