The Cincinnati Reds acquired Marlon Byrd in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies, reports confirmed on Wednesday.

The Phillies sent the veteran outfielder to the Reds in exchange for minor league Ben Lively. The Phillies included cash in the deal to pay a portion of Byrd's salary next season, ESPN reported.

Byrd, who played 154 games in Philadelphia last season, will earn $8 million on the final year of his contract next season and could get another $8 million in 2016 if the Reds decide to exercise their team option.

Reds general Walt Jocketty, who has been looking to improve their offense and left fielders since the offseason started, expressed confidence the 37-year-old will bring a lot to their team on and off the field next season.

Byrd, who will be playing for his eighth club, scored 49 homeruns and 173 RBIs over the past two seasons. In his postseason stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013, the 13-year veteran batted .364 in six games.

"At 37, he's in great shape. I think in a lot of ways, he's a great fit for our club," Jocketty said in a statement. "He does a lot of things we need in run producing and a big bat for our lineup. Just as important, he has a strong reputation for his work ethic and leadership on and off the field."

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Jocketty revealed he talked to Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro about a possible deal since the GM meetings in November.

And when the Phillies ushered their rebuilding process, which began when they parted ways with longtime shortstop Jimmy Rollins, Jocketty said he approached Amaro once again about a deal for Byrd, who has been on trading block over the past several weeks.

"We kind of stayed in touch ever since," Jocketty said. "We were pursuing some other free agents and other trade possibilities and just stayed on this one. I've been working very close with Ruben on this the past couple of weeks."

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