Cubs sign Marlon Byrd to 3 yr deal..
Written by The Go-To-Man Mattie T. on December 31, 2009
It’s been a year to forget for Cubs fans after the Milton Bradley debacle, but they may have gotten themselves on the right track for 2010 with their latest acquistion.
Free agent outfielder Marlon Byrd agreed to a $15 million, 3 year deal with Chicago on Wednesday, as he’ll reunite with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, who will begin his 1st season with the Cubs in April.
Byrd has experience at all three outfield positions & is a good contact hitter in clutch situations, as proven by his .285 career average in RISP & .309 career average with the bases loaded.
Marlon is also coming off a career 2009 season with Texas in which he acheived personal bests in games played (146), at-bats (547), hits (155), doubles (43), home runs (20), runs batted in (89) & slugging percentage (.479).
The 32-year old veteran will be the Cubs’ new centerfielder, as Kosuke Fukudome will shift back to right field.
The backup centerfield job could now be determined between Sam Fuld, Tyler Colvin, or rookie James Adduci.
