We asked this question over a month ago. But if you bought stock in Marlon Byrd then, you're in pretty good shape. His value continues to rise, doesn't it?
We all know the Rangers' financial issues and their depth in the outfield. We've also seen how important team chemistry and a consistent bat is to the lineup. Byrd has provided both of those things this season. Sure, he hit around .255 for all of June and July. But the Rangers lineup as a whole struggled then too.
Byrd, though, has made adjustments. He hit ..275 in August with four homers and 15 RBIs. And in September, he's red hot. Byrd was 4-for-4 in Game 1 on Tuesday (including a big homer), pushing him to 9-for-23 (.391) for September at the time. He was back in the lineup for Game 2 and had three hits in his first four ABs in Game 2. That's right, in the 6th inning of Game 2, Byrd was 7-for-8 in the doubleheader.
What you don't see in the box score is that he's a true leader on this team. He never gets too down or too up, something that this Rangers team has managed to do all season. He knows what to say to certain players and they respect him. That matters.
Byrd wants a multi-year deal and his 2009 season, which has his average at over .280 now, combined with his .298 average in 403 at-bats in 2008, not to mention how he played in 2007 once he was on the major-league squad (.307 average in 414 at-bats) means he's earned it.
Byrd makes $3 million this year. He's going to want 2 or 3 years at a raise. Would he take 3 years at $12 million? Maybe. Can the Rangers afford that?
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
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