Reds, Cardinals top list of potential Marlon Byrd suitors

Marlon Byrd is going to be dealt this offseason. There are simply too many teams in need of a corner outfielder and too few options on the free agent market to think otherwise. Through a process of elimination, we've zeroed in on 15 potential suitors for the Phillies, all of whom Ruben Amaro Jr. is likely to touch base with at this week's GM meetings in Phoenix. Of those 15, the first 10 are much more legitimate than the remaining five. At least six of those 10 seem highly likely to add a corner outfielder this offseason. And that is a conservative estimate.

1. Reds (5-to-2 odds at trading for Byrd): Reds outfielders combined for a worst-in-the-majors .636 OPS last season, and the lineup as a whole ranked No. 27 against left-handed pitching. They are set in right and center with Jay Bruce and Billy Hamilton, but they could certainly use an upgrade over Chris Heisey in left. With Johnny Cueto set to his free agency after this season, the Reds have some pressure to win now.

2. Cardinals (3-to-1): It feels wrong to be discussing roster openings so soon after the death of top prospect Oscar Taveras, but the corner outfield spot he was supposed to occupy needs to be filled, and the Cardinals could certainly use the power and defense that Byrd showed last season. Top prospect Stephen Piscotty could be an answer, but the Cardinals don't have any other areas to upgrade in their lineup and their rotation is already seven deep.

3. Tigers (3-to-1): They are desperate to win and they currently have Tyler Collins and Steven Moya projected as corner outfielders as Torii Hunter explores free agency.

4. Indians (5-to-1): Right field was a huge hole last year, and Yan Gomes is currently the only true right-handed bat in their lineup (although Carlos Santana and Nick Swisher are switch hitters).

5. Mariners (7-to-1): The big hang-up here is the fact that they play in Seattle, which is hardly a marquee destination for hitters. The Mariners were on Byrd's four-team no-trade list last year, and it would make sense for him to keep them there, given the obvious need for a bat such as his. Seattle OPS'd just .636 vs. LHP and ranked No. 29 in outfield OPS, and it has one definite opening in left, where the Dustin Ackley experience might be drawing to a close, and another potential opening in right, where Michael Saunders is reportedly being shopped. Seattle's only two right-handed bats of consequence are Austin Jackson and Mike Zunino. They make the Phillies look balanced.

6. Blue Jays (10-to-1): What they really need is a left-handed middle-of-the-order bat, but Byrd would be an upgrade over Andy Dirks in left field. Like the Mariners, though, Toronto is not a destination city, and Byrd had the Blue Jays on his no-trade list last year.

7. Royals (10-to-1): They are an interesting team not just because of the interest they reportedly had in Byrd in July, but because of the recent rumblings about Ryan Howard. Could Amaro be thinking about a Howard/Byrd package deal? The Royals certainly have an opening in the outfield, although they have other fish to fry in the form of their rotation.

8. Athletics (10-to-1): Billy Beane clearly feels he has a window of opportunity, and he knows his offense was brutal down the stretch, and that Sam Fuld is not an everyday corner outfielder.

9. Rays (15-to-1): Maybe not the most obvious fit on the surface, but Tampa is always in search of value, and Byrd could offer that as they search to upgrade an offense that struggled mightily last season. My colleague Ryan Lawrence suggested Dom Brown as a fit for the Rays given reports that they are shopping Jeremy Hellickson, but I'm not sure that makes sense for the Phillies, since Hellickson can become a free agent after 2016, and he is a fly ball pitcher. A Hellickson-for-Byrd swap would make some sense, though indications from July were that the Phillies were prioritizing upside and seasons of control. The Rays could also use a catcher, which is something to keep an eye on if the Phillies are serious about parting ways with veterans like Carlos Ruiz. As for Byrd, he could slot in either left field or DH, where the Rays have Matt Joyce and David DeJesus. No. 18 in outfield.

10. Rangers (15-to-1): Rookie Jake Smolinsky had a solid showing in 24 games, with eight extra base hits, three of them home runs, in 86 at bats. They could also stand to upgrade over Mitch Moreland at designated hitter. But you have to expect the Rangers to focus on their rotation. No. 26 in outfield.

11. Cubs (20-to-1): Another outside-the-box possibility. The Cubs currently have Chris Coghlan slotted in left, and while he posted an .804 OPS last season, he also OPS'd .659 in 1,017 PAs from 2010-13. The Cubs have plenty of options with their glut of young infielders, and they are likely prioritizing starting pitching, but they are at least worth mentioning, given their desire to contend in 2015.

12. Giants (20-to-1): They'll need to replace Pablo Sandoval's bat if he signs elsewhere, and Byrd's 2014 production would be an upgrade over Gregor Blanco in left field.

13. Orioles (20-to-1): If they bring back Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis and if they believe in Steve Pearce and Alejandro de Aza, they have no room. If any of those propositions fall through, then they will be in the market for right-handed power.

14. Red Sox (20-to-1): They have options galore to fill the third outfield spot next to Mookie Betts and Rusney Castillo, but none of them are immoveable. Brock Holt, Yoenis Cespedes, Shane Victorino and Daniel Nava were all league average or below hitters. Media types have hinted that Cespedes could be traded, while Victorino is coming off back surgery. Holt's bat plays better in the infield, and Nava is a fourth outfielder type. With Boston long rumored to be interested in Cole Hamels, and the Red Sox long known for inventive and unforeseen wheeling and dealing, you can't count them out for Byrd. For instance, three top prospects is a steep asking price for Hamels given the plethora of pitchers available. But the Sox need at least two middle-to-top-of-the-rotation starters to return to contention, and if they were able to trade Cespedes for one of those prospects and get the Phillies to include Byrd in a deal, well, let's just say it wouldn't be the craziest thing the Red Sox have done. Of course, Byrd already tried and failed in Boston. Which is why we had to think twice before including the Red Sox on this list.

15. Yankees (25-to-1): The only reason they are on this list is they are the Yankees. Otherwise, they do not have a ton of wiggle room unless they are concerned that Carlos Beltran is done. Plus, shoring up the rotation and middle infield are their biggest priorities.

No room at the inn (10): Braves (Jason Hayward and Justin Upton), Dodgers (Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig), Marlins (Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich), Mets (Curtis Granderson and Michael Cuddyer), Nationals (Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth), Brewers (Ryan Braun and Khris Davis), Angels (Kole Calhoun and Josh Hamilton), Padres (Carlos Quentin and Seth Smith), Pirates (Starling Marte, Travis Snider, Josh Harrison), Astros (George Springer, Domingo Santana, Jake Marisnick, Dexter Fowler).

Rebuilding (4): Twins, Diamondbacks, Rockies, White Sox.