
The New York Mets have almost been unwillingly thrust into the MLB trade rumors market this offseason thanks to veteran Marlon Byrd, a player who many contending teams may have an eye on thanks to his skill on offense.
However, it was reported earlier in the week by Andy Martino of the Daily News that the Mets were not looking to move Byrd in any capacity:
"Except that he probably isn’t. According to a person with direct knowledge of the Mets’ thinking, the club is far more likely to duplicate its approach with Scott Hairston last year, holding onto Byrd in an effort to be respectable in the second half."
Except now things have changed. Mets assistant GM J.P. Ricciardi told Jim Bowden of SiriusXM the Mets would move Byrd for a “serious return,”:
That was a change of heart rather quickly. It’s a smart one too as the Mets could get a very nice haul in return for Byrd and still remain respectable in the second half as they wish.
Plenty of contenders will want to land Byrd. Holding off until the last second could give the Mets a very nice return package.
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