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Report: Marlon Byrd Traded to Reds

(AP)

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports via Twitter (where else), Marlon Byrd to the Cincinnati Reds is a done deal.

Byrd, 37, hit .264 in 2014 with 28 doubles, 25 home runs, 85 RBIs and a .445 slugging percentage. He is the oldest everyday outfielder in the NL, but also one of the most productive.

Rosenthal says Ben Lively is headed to Philadelphia in the deal. The 22-year-old Lively (turns 23 in March) topped out at Double-A last season with the Reds organization. He made 26 starts – 13 at A-Ball, 13 at AA-Ball – posting a 13-7 record with a 3.06 ERA. In 151 innings, he fanned 171 and walked just 52. The Phillies are attempting to load up on young starting pitchers as they move on from their veterans, which is a positive sign.

Although 2015 might be a wash for the franchise, they’re at least taking the necessary steps to move forward in hopes that their rebuild can happen faster.

Pat Gallen

Pat joined Phillies Nation in July 2009, coming over from Examiner.com. As a previous employee of both Comcast SportsNet and the National Basketball Association, Pat prides himself on being a well-rounded individual when it comes to sports. However, the Phillies are first on the list. You’ll usually find Pat chiming in on the Phillies Nation Facebook or Twitter account, weekdays on 97.3 ESPN radio or hosting Phillies Nation TV. He’s also a Senior Writer for the site, and in his free time is a music enthusiast and Will Ferrell movie-follower. His favorite beer: Philly’s own Yards. In 2015, Pat moved on from Phillies Nation as a sports anchor and reporter for CBS-3 in Philadelphia.