Dissecting the Burrell Move
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Dissecting the Burrell Move
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
About an hour ago, I received a text message from a buddy of mine who also happens to be a Boston Red Sox fan. It read, "The Rays signing Pat Burrell to a two-year deal? Great for us."
I don't agree.
In fact, I think Burrell is the perfect piece for the Rays line-up, and I think that they got a steal in getting him for two years and $16 million. Obviously, the Phillies didn't want the left fielder back in town, as evidenced by the three years and $30 million they handed Raul Ibanez. They obviously view Ibanez as an upgrade, someone who can bring the consistency that Burrell sometimes lacked.
But while the Phillies wanted someone more reliable hitting behind Ryan Howard, the Rays were in search for a powerful right-handed bat for the middle of the line-up. And they found it in Burrell.
Check out the Rays potential Opening Day line-up:
- Akinori Iwamura 2B
- Carl Crawford LF
- B.J. Upton CF
- Carlos Pena 1B
- Evan Longoria 3B
- Pat Burrell DH
- Ben Zobrist/Rocco Baldelli RF
- Dioner Navarro C
- Jason Bartlett SS
It appears as if Burrell will serve as the Rays' DH. Carl Crawford is entrenched in left field, and neither he nor Burrell has ever played RF. Designated hitter is a role in which Burrell has struggled during his limited action in interleague play. In 85 career at-bats as a DH, Burrell has hit.153/.258/.224 with one home run and seven RBI. But I don't put too much stock into those numbers. I'm sure DH is like any other position -- it takes time to learn.
Nicknac - You mean the same Matt Joyce who has 242 career at bats and a .252 batting average in them? And the one who has four errors against two outfield assists?- love ya dave, but nicknac is right, do your homework. True you aren't writing for the Rays, but get the baseball basic down. Oh and best wishes Pat, nomatter what we will miss ya— gulls3012
I think he will be fine in the DH roll. There is a huge difference between pinch hitting and a DH.— KINGOFZED
Comment removed.- Joyce is not expected to emerge from spring training as the starter in RF. Period.
- I'm with Philly PSU. Find a day that's doable for Pat and give him his ring in front of his former teammates and hus loyal fans. He is a Phillie forever! Good luck Pat the bat !— Clem
- i think the rays trades for joyce with the hopes that he will be their rightfielder. to cite his .252 avg doesnt quite do him justice. his obp was .339 and his OPS was .831. not terrible.— Snakes
- Pat Burrel sucks, always has. See ya! Retiring his number? Are you kidding? I'd retire Kruk or Dykstra before Burrell.— scars73
