BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: Diamondbacks releasing Eric Byrnes

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Friday, January 15, 2010

Diamondbacks releasing Eric Byrnes

What do you do with a guy who has played in only 136 games due to hamstring problems over two seasons while hitting .218? If you’re the Arizona Diamondbacks, you release him.

That’s apparently what is about to happen to 33-year-old outfielder Eric Byrnes, who is getting bumped from the 40-man roster by the signing of a one-year contract by first baseman Adam LaRoche. Byrnes has one year left on a three-year, $30 million deal.

This should give Byrnes a little more time to spread his media empire. He’s done a bunch of baseball analysis over the years for various networks and has his own regional TV show in Arizona as well as a radio show. Who needs baseball?

Repoz Posted: January 15, 2010 at 01:58 PM | 28 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: arizona

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1. Craig Calcaterra Posted: January 15, 2010 at 02:27 PM (#3438215)

Maybe it's just a holdover from those dark days at the law firm when I used to fantasize about winning the lottery and stuff, but I've always had a place in my heart for guys like Byrnes and Darren Driefort and the like who were paid gigantic sums and produced almost nothing thereafter. It almost makes you think "hey, I could have done that."

2. metsman128 Posted: January 15, 2010 at 02:37 PM (#3438224)

3. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: January 15, 2010 at 02:44 PM (#3438232)

Well, that 50 SB year was impressive...knowing the Mets we'll fall in love with what used to be instead of what is and he'll be ours by Tuesday. Byrnes may be hamstrung, but he's still probably faster at negotiating deals than Bengie...

I wouldn't be shocked if Byrnes could be an upgrade on Francoeur in RF. They project about the same offensively by Marcel/Chone ~95 wRC+, and by UZR at least, Byrnes looks to be a slightly better fielder.

If Byrnes is healthy, the Mets should grab him for the minimum. What's the downside?

He'd also make a decent 4th OF for the Yankees, since he's hit LHP pretty well, again, for the minimum.

4. AROM Posted: January 15, 2010 at 02:47 PM (#3438237)

Yankees have had room for his type of player on championship teams before. If reasonably healthy, Byrnes' skillset is similar to that of Chad Curtis.

5. Gamingboy Posted: January 15, 2010 at 02:59 PM (#3438247)

Fools, he is now free to terrorize television.

6. zonk Posted: January 15, 2010 at 03:06 PM (#3438249)

Can he still fake CF?

If so, I wouldn't mind the Cubs taking a look. They were rumored to be kicking the tires on Jermaine Dye to platoon with Fukodome in RF and backup Soriano in LF/Lee at 1B. I wouldn't object to that, but Dye can't fake CF for a game here and there.

Eric Byrnes at near the league minimum playing strictly against LHP for 100-150 ABs isn't the worst thing in the world, I think.

7. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: January 15, 2010 at 03:17 PM (#3438257)

Yankees have had room for his type of player on championship teams before. If reasonably healthy, Byrnes' skillset is similar to that of Chad Curtis.

Yup. If Byrnes could put up a 110 OPS+ against LHP, not suck completely vs. RHP, and play an avg. LF, he'd be a fine complement to Gardner, getting 200-250 PAs.

Plus, he's free and they seem to be budget constrained. A free Byrnes is better than a $3-4M Nady.

8. Old Matt Posted: January 15, 2010 at 03:37 PM (#3438273)

Well, we all know where Byrnes is going.

9. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: January 15, 2010 at 03:41 PM (#3438278)

Well, we all know where Byrnes is going.

Care to share? B/C I don't.

10. The Essex Snead Posted: January 15, 2010 at 03:45 PM (#3438284)

Royals?

11. Mark S. is bored Posted: January 15, 2010 at 04:09 PM (#3438306)

Mets? The last thing the Mets need is another injury prone player.

12. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar Posted: January 15, 2010 at 04:21 PM (#3438322)

Mets? The last thing the Mets need is another injury prone player.

The Mets are expert at acquiring the last things that they need.

13. Didi Dodo Doodoo (1k5v3L)

Posted: January 15, 2010 at 04:22 PM (#3438325)

Nick Piecoro pondered this (potential) move yesterday. There hasn't been a confirmation yet that El Flipperino has been released, however. So I'm not rejoicing just yet. Of course, he'll most likely sign with the Giants to be with his bff Zito, and will manage to somehow terrorize Dbacks pitchers this year.

Once Byrnes could do a decent job diving in centerfield (put him in, coach), but his leg injuries have basically reduced him to left field, and he can't hit right handed pitchers. What he does well is generate infield pop ups; he's the best in the business at that - but that didn't impress his DWL team, apparently, which recently released him in favor of Timo Perez. Ah, the horror.

14. GGC don't think it can get longer than a novella Posted: January 15, 2010 at 04:24 PM (#3438331)

Am I the only one who thought that he looked like Prince Adam? I'll always remember him for his baserunning during the '03 ALDS.

15. Didi Dodo Doodoo (1k5v3L)

Posted: January 15, 2010 at 04:27 PM (#3438336)

I'll always remember him for his baserunning during the '03 ALDS.

You are a lucky man. I'll need an entire lifetime to reduce my memories of him to that series only.

16. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) Posted: January 15, 2010 at 04:54 PM (#3438364)

Mets? The last thing the Mets need is another injury prone player.

but they do need some white-boy hustle

17. frannyzoo Posted: January 15, 2010 at 07:39 PM (#3438536)

This can only help my EBay auctions of the "Complete Eric Byrnes Show" DVD collection. You can't get television like that anymore.

18. SABRJoe Posted: January 15, 2010 at 07:43 PM (#3438540)

You can't get television like that anymore.

Thank God.

19. Willie Mayspedes Posted: January 15, 2010 at 07:55 PM (#3438557)

I still love the day when he was on the A's and he slammed face first into the wall. You could see his nose and entire face get squished. Crying laughing ensued.

20. adamadkins Posted: January 15, 2010 at 08:04 PM (#3438568)

LOL @ Craig #1

21. jwb Posted: January 15, 2010 at 09:09 PM (#3438638)

DFAed, says RotoWorld.

22. Tripon Posted: January 15, 2010 at 09:22 PM (#3438649)

Eric Brynes to the Braves as the LF/4th outfielder?

23. Didi Dodo Doodoo (1k5v3L)

Posted: January 15, 2010 at 09:44 PM (#3438666)

Eric Brynes to the Braves as the LF/4th outfielder?

Unless Braves offer Heyward, pass.
Byrnes will be lucky to get a major league deal somewhere.

24. Honkie Kong Posted: January 15, 2010 at 09:48 PM (#3438669)

I think the Braves are set. They extended Melky yesterday, and have Diaz/McClouth, with Heyward/Schafer in AAA.

There are some rumours swirling about Damon, but given how cheap the Braves have been this offseason, Byrnes is probably a cheaper pickup, and as a 4th OF, the injuries won't be such a big deal if he can still play.

25. Eddie Kranepool Society Posted: January 15, 2010 at 10:39 PM (#3438725)

Brynes to Mets as a fill in for Mex when he can't be bothered broadcasting games on SNY

26. Tripon Posted: January 30, 2010 at 12:44 AM (#3450299)

Captain America signs with the Mariners in a one year deal.

27. Didi Dodo Doodoo (1k5v3L)

Posted: January 30, 2010 at 01:01 AM (#3450311)