Phils acquire Paredes, Byrd gets another PED suspension

It was announced on Wednesday that the Phillies have acquired utility man Jimmy Paredes from Toronto for cash considerations.

In 256 big league games, the 27-year-old switch-hitter has posted a .257/.294/.373 slash line.  He has played third base, second base, left field and right field in the majors in time with Houston, Kansas City, Baltimore and Toronto.

Reports previously stated that the Phils had attempted to claim Paredes off of waivers from Baltimore earlier this season, but Toronto had priority and got him at that time.

In other news, Indians outfielder Marlon Byrd is expected to be suspended for 162 games for a second violation of MLB’s banned substance policies.  The former two-time Phillie was previously suspended for positive steroid test in 2012.

The 38-year-old Byrd was originally a 10th round draft selection of the Phillies in 1999.  His initial run in the organization came to an end when the Phils dealt him to Washington in a trade for Endy Chavez in 2005.  He would return as a free agent in 2013.

Byrd’s most recent stint with the Phillies ended when he was traded two off-seasons ago to Cincinnati for pitching prospect Ben Lively.