Marlon Byrd reportedly willing to waive no-trade to Mariners if option exercised
The Seattle Mariners are on a four-team no-trade list for Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Marlon Byrd. For a cool $8 million, he's reportedly willing to waive it.
Byrd is open to nixing the clause in a trade to the Mariners if the club vests his option year, according to ESPN's Jim Bowden.
The 36-year-old is owed $8 million next season with an option at the same figure for 2016 that will vest under one of the following conditions:
- 600 plate appearances in 2015
- 550 PAs in 2015 and a total of 1100 PAs in 2014 and 2015
Byrd is one of the more intriguing power-hitting bats available ahead of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. The 13-year veteran has 18 homers for the last-place Phillies and his .479 slugging percentage ranks 10th among National League outfielders.
Although the Mariners are said to be interested in the right-handed hitting Byrd, Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reported Thursday that talks have hit an impasse as the club pursues a possible trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Mariners' talks regarding Price and Zobrist come at a time when progress has stalled in their efforts to acquire Marlon Byrd. @FOXSports1
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 17, 2014
The other three clubs on Byrd's no-trade list are the Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays.