The Cleveland Indians today signed free agent OF MARLON BYRD to a Minor League contract with a non-roster invitation to Major League camp.
Byrd, 38, spent the 2015 season between the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants, hitting a combined .247 (125-506) with 25 doubles, 5 triples, 23 home runs and 73 RBI in 135 games (.290/.453/.743). He has hit at least 20 home runs with 70-or-more RBI in each of the last three seasons since 2013, a claim only fourteen (14) other Major League players can make over that span. Last season he hit .271 (35-129) off left-handed pitching (.324/.496/.820) and for his career owns a .286 mark vs. LHP with a career OPS of .802.
The Marietta, GA native owns a career Major League batting average of .275 (1503-5464) with 305 doubles, 39 triples, 154 home runs and 691 RBI in 1539 games since debuting with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2002. In 2013, he finished 10th in the National League with 88 RBI and in 2014 he finished tied for 8th in the NL in home runs (25). He will wear #6.