Marlon Byrd signs 2-year deal with Phillies

     Outfielder Marlon Byrd has signed a two-year, 16 million dollar contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Byrd began his career with the Phillies in 2002, and has since played for the Nationals, Rangers, Cubs, Red Sox, Mets, and Pirates.
     Last season, Byrd slugged 24 home runs, 35 doubles, and scored 75 runs in 532 at bats. His OPS was quite good at .847. Byrd can play all three outfield positions, but the Phillies should use him in right field for the majority of next season. Byrd had 10 outfield assists and a .980 fielding percentage last season with the Bucs and Mets.

Analysis: This is a great pickup for the Phillies, as they really needed a right handed power bat, as well as a good right fielder. Expect Byrd to bat fifth or sixth in the lineup.
     

Ryne Sandberg replaces Charlie Manuel

     I know this post is a little late.... so yeah. Anyways, a couple of days ago Phillies third base coach and Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg was promoted to manager as Charlie Manuel was released. Manuel was the best Phillies manager of all time, helping them to one World Series victory and a couple of NL pennants in seven-plus seasons. He essentially turned the Phillies from an average team to the best in baseball for years.

     Unlike in the case of the Philadelphia Eagles (firing longtime coach Andy Reid), the Phillies won't get anywhere by firing their best manager in history. Not because Sandberg is a bad manager, but because the Phillies do not have much anything to work with right now. General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has made some good moves (signing Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee) and he has made some stupid ones (getting rid of Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino, as well as signing guys like Ryan Howard to huge, risky contracts), but this one takes the cake.

      All in all, there was no point in firing Charlie Manuel. None at all. You can give an artist a brush, and even if he's Pablo Picasso, he can't do much without any paint.