Marlon Byrd just won me over

[LRCW]

Sounds like the newest Red might be just the clubhouse leader this team needs.

 

Reds' Marlon Byrd fires back at Mat Latos

[kinglouie]

I thought the exact same thing when I heard his comments. Very refreshing.

[Voice of Reason]

Byrd move by Walt = Rolen move by Walt.

[Qryche11]

Amen...well said Marlon.

 

Looking forward to seeing him mash this season.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

Byrd move by Walt = Rolen move by Walt.

 

Correct.

 

If Latos' statement holds water, though, is it all bad to have that pointed out? Latos was there firsthand to see it...Byrd was not. Ken Rosenthal was clearly asking Latos questions about his career, and the majority of the questions had a Reds-oriented spin to them. Latos' answer doesn't seem out of line to me in that regard. He was being asked about how things went with the Reds and how he sees things being different in that regard now that he's with the Marlins. Latos answered the questions he was being asked.

[AverageJoesGym]

Byrd move by Walt = Rolen move by Walt.

 

Well except Byrd is likely to strike out 175+ times, bat .245, get on base at a .300 clip and provide average to mediocre defense in LF. Otherwise he's just like Rolen.

 

Is he really that great of a leader? Do we know this because of one interview? I remember a lot of Reds fans dogging Adam Dunn for not ever playing on a team that made the postseason. Byrd has played on 1--the 2013 Pirates. He played 30 games for them that season.

 

At age 37 hopefully he'll be at least close to as good as last season.

[Capernicus41]

Well except Byrd is likely to strike out 175+ times, bat .245, get on base at a .300 clip and provide average to mediocre defense in LF. Otherwise he's just like Rolen.

 

Is he really that great of a leader? Do we know this because of one interview? I remember a lot of Reds fans dogging Adam Dunn for not ever playing on a team that made the postseason. Byrd has played on 1--the 2013 Pirates. He played 30 games for them that season.

 

At age 37 hopefully he'll be at least close to as good as last season.

 

What Rolen meant to the Reds went way beyond the field and production. The Reds have some talent, but it's no secret that this clubhouse needs a leader. Byrd was brought in to fill an outfield void and because he is highly thought of around the MLB for what he brings to the table off the field. The first opportunity he gets he backs the leader talk.

 

No one is basing it off of 1 interview...But if I'm a Reds fan I'm excited about this guy and how the rest of the team responds.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

Joe Danneman ‏@FOX19Joe

Cozart calls Marlon Byrd a "stud." Said Byrd knew him for two days and already gave him tips to improve his hitting. That kind of presence.

[AverageJoesGym]

What Rolen meant to the Reds went way beyond the field and production. The Reds have some talent, but it's no secret that this clubhouse needs a leader. Byrd was brought in to fill an outfield void and because he is highly thought of around the MLB for what he brings to the table off the field. The first opportunity he gets he backs the leader talk.

 

No one is basing it off of 1 interview...But if I'm a Reds fan I'm excited about this guy and how the rest of the team responds.

 

We'll see. I have my doubts that someone that has that positive of a clubhouse influence would be on his 6th team in the last 4 seasons and would have changed teams 8 times in a 14 year career. It's easy to be a great clubhouse guy before any games have been played.

 

Didn't Byrd trash former teammate Vincente Padilla when Padilla was released by the Rangers? I know there was some tension when Byrd signed with the Red Sox and was reunited with Padilla. They eventually worked it out but there was obvious tension when he joined the team.

 

Also there is this article saying that the Phillies wanted rid of him due to his behavior:

 

The Philadelphia Phillies reportedly want to get rid of Cliff Lee and other negative clubhouse presences - That Balls Outta Here - A Philadelphia Phillies Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

 

 

I'm not saying he'll be a complete malcontent, just that there is a good chance this isn't Scott Rolen redux.