Mariners Trade Deadline: An Analytical Look at Seattle’s Trade Options

Jul 25, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Marlon Byrd (3) hits a double during the seventh inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Marlon Byrd, OF, Philadelphia Phillies

Another one of the more oft-mentioned names, Byrd to the Mariners seemed likely to get gone just a few weeks ago. The hangup ended up being that for him to waive his no-trade clause to Seattle, the Mariners would be required to guarantee his contract in 2016, when he will be 38 years old, and probably pretty unproductive.

For this year though, he makes some sense as a player. He is the “right-handed power” they are known to covet, but he is actually a solid player, unlike some names thrown around.

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He currently owns a .266/.316/.478 line with 20 home runs and a 119 wRC+. His defense is not as valuable as Zobrist’s on account of being limited to the corner outfield, he has been a positive defender in right field, with a +6 DRS this year, and +12 last year. So while he isn’t young anymore, he is an above average hitter, and above average fielder.

The main reason he has only been worth 1.3 WAR on the year is that, as mentioned before, he plays a position that isn’t all that valuable, and his baserunning value has taken a large hit this year. The contract won’t look pretty after this season, but he would present an upgrade over Chavez and Stefen Romero, hitting somewhere between fourth and sixth.