Ted's Army: The Voice of Red Sox fans

Farewell, Marlon Byrd, we hardly knew ye

(Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

As you all may know by now, Marlon Byrd was released by the Red Sox yesterday after being desinated for assignment, because the Sox will no longer need his services. With Ryan Kalish raking in Pawtucket, Cody Ross very close to returning, and Scott Podsednik in a form he was in 5 years ago, Marlon Byrd just didn't fit anymore. He knew he was nothing more than a fill-in for Jacoby Ellsbury, and when the plague of injuries swept the outfield, Byrd was the man in center. He wasn't the same Marlon Byrd of 2009 with Texas, though it is safe to say, he exceeded most expectations in his 34 games with the Red Sox.

Byrd first appeared in a game for Boston on April 23 in Minnesota, and the result, a win for the Red Sox. In fact, the first 6 games he appeared in for the Red Sox resulted in a victory.  Of course the trend did not continue, but the Red Sox were 18-16 when Byrd made an appearance. Though, It wasn't all good when Marlon Byrd appeared in a game for Boston.

Marlon Byrd had his chances to make that 18-16 record a little more beefy in the win column, but most of the chances were squandered. If we took a glimpse at his 9th inning average with the Sox, Byrd batted .300 (3/10) with a run scored and 2 K's. OK, that's not too bad. If we group in innings 7 though 9, His average drops to .194 (6/31 - all singles) with 2 RBI, and 8 K's. Compared to his .318 average in innings 1-6, it looks that much worse. He was also 0-for-3 in extra inning AB's. In tie games or games within 1 run, Byrd batted .188 with 5 K's. I could keep pointing out his lack of production during crucial moments, such as his .240 average with RISP or his .167 average with RISP and 2 outs, but I don't want to make the guy look bad.

I am not trying to bash Byrd after saying he exceeded most  expectations, but I just wanted to point out it was more bad than good. When you look at the simple stat line (34 G, 100 AB, .270 BA, 1 HR, 7 RBI), it doesn't look too bad. Even though the Sox were 2 games above .500 when he appeared in a game, the Red Sox are better without him. There is one more positive. The Red Sox are only liable for $400,000 of his $6.5 million due to him this season. Thanks, Cubs!

Anyway...Thanks for everything, Marlon!

Your Morning Dump... Where we check in with Crawford

Elsa/Getty Images

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

If Crawford returns on the team’s timetable, he’ll be back by late June or early July. That would leave him half a season to salvage 2012 before it becomes more lost than 2011.

“It’s tough,” he said. “You definitely want to be out there feeling good, swinging the bat well, feeling strong. I’m feeling the way I want to feel and then to have this setback is definitely disappointing. But it’s something you can’t control. It’s not like it was your fault. It just happens and you’ve got to live with it.”

History is littered with players who struggled through injuries or ineffectiveness around age 30 and then regained their All-Star form. Think Larry Walker, Darren Daulton, or closer to home, Carl Yastrzemski.

“That’s definitely how I’m thinking,” Crawford said. “I just feel like when I do come out of this, I’m going to be stronger and healthier than I’ve been in a long time. I don’t want to look back after that.”

Herald - LF Carl Crawford craves return to Sox lineup

At the very back of my mind I truly believe that when Crawford returns (whenever that may be) that he's going to be huge for the Red Sox.  He's no Carl Pavano.  He didn't sign that huge contract and then decide it was time to take it easy.  He had been working as hard as ever to prove last season was a fluke before this setback.  This injury is only going to fuel him more.

While having an All-Star caliber player like Crawford patrolling left would surely help the Sox, we have no reason to complain about his (and Ellsbury's) replacements. 

I mocked Marlon Byrd's signing at the time, since he was coming to Boston with a .070 average after 43 at-bats in Chicago.  Well, he's had 37 at-bats with Boston, and his average is a solid .297 during that span.  Quite the turnaround, (even though he's only produced a single extra-base hit).  While he leaves a bit to be desired at the plate, he's not an instant out and he's been solid in the field.  For an emergency replacement, I'm pleased.

The Cody Ross - Ryan Sweeney duo has been one of the most pleasant surprises for the Sox as well.  Sweeney is batting .361 after 21 games with 12 doubles and a triple.  Ross is at .268 with 5 home runs and 18 RBIs (all better numbers than Gonzalez).  Both have had their fair share of clutch hits this season, too. 

While I'd love to see Crawford back in the lineup tonight, his return isn't nearly as pressing as it seemed back in March. 

On Page 2, the worst is confirmed for Mo

Marlon Byrd deal is done

Well, that didn't take long.  Say goodbye to Michael Bowden and hello to Marlon Byrd. 

CSNNE's Sean McAdam confirmed the trade via Twitter:

Baseball source: Byrd to Red Sox for Michael Bowden and PTBNL done. Cubs will pick up "most'' of Byrd's $6.5 million.

I don't know that Byrd is an upgrade over anybody, but it does give us some decent outfield depth.  And if the Cubbies are willing to pay for the majority of his contract, and we just have to give up Bowden (who we already gave up on)?  This was a no-brainer.

Cherington finally, FINALLY!, pulls off a good move... or maybe I'm just in a good mood thanks to the Sox' 9-0 lead on New York.