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Monday, November 16, 2009
Phillies bid adieu to Bruntlett

One of the Phillies' goals this offseason is to find a utlity infielder capable of providing Charlie Manuel with an adequate defensive and offensive option to spell middle infielders Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley. It was pretty evident that the club did not view Eric Bruntlett as an option, but that was not made official until today, when it removed the veteran from the 40-man roster, thereby granting him free agency (which he accepted).

Bruntlett, acquired in the trade with the Astros that brought Brad Lidge to Philadelphia and sent Michael Bourn to Houston, saw his playing time drop dramatically in 2009.

He hit just .217 with a .297 on base percentage in 238 plate appearances in 2008, then hit .171 with a .238 on base percentage in 118 plate appearances this past season. During Bruntlett's brief time with the Phillies, he had two defining moments: First, he scored the winning run in Game 5 of the World Series on Pedro Feliz's single up the middle. Second, he recorded an unassisted triple play against the Mets this summer.

Other Phillies who were removed from the 40-man roster and granted free agency include RHP John Ennis, RHP Tyler Walker, C Paul Hoover, and INF Andy Tracy.

Posted by David Murphy @ 12:04 PM  Permalink | 80 comments
80
Comments   
Posted 12:13 PM, 11/16/2009
Ed3
Goodbye to Cholloe's good luck charm...
Posted 12:15 PM, 11/16/2009
thegloryofoldstate
That's not a surprise... I always would yell an expletive when I saw him getting ready to pinch hit: "Why, Charlie? Why?!"
Posted 12:15 PM, 11/16/2009
joeolive
Jerry Hairston Jr
Posted 12:16 PM, 11/16/2009
KGKoons
Now get rid of Bako, Dobbs too. Start all over with the exception of Francisco. Time for a refreshing of the Bench. Younger is better to let them grow into a championship team once again.
Posted 12:17 PM, 11/16/2009
holleratrob
how are we going to fill the void left by bruntlett and his unsightly beard?
Comment removed.
Posted 12:24 PM, 11/16/2009
JusWonderin
Ed Wade will give him a job.
Posted 12:26 PM, 11/16/2009
chasing history
I hope this is in preperation for the DeRosa signing.
Comment removed.
Posted 12:29 PM, 11/16/2009
doconnor4431
Bye-bye, Bootsie Bruntlett
Posted 12:32 PM, 11/16/2009
amc312
Don't forget, Bruntlett also scored the winning run in Game 3 of the '08 series (Ruiz's walkoff 40-footer). Bruntlett flat out can't get on base and needed to be cut loose, but he's a likable guy with an awesome beard who had a tendency to be in the right place at the right time for some pretty iconic moments. And I'm sure Amaro hates to get rid of one of his Stanford guys too.
Posted 12:33 PM, 11/16/2009
steveku2
If the Phillies hope to win another World Series they need to have bench players who qualify as bonafide Designated Hitters. Ben Francisco is a possibility, but Charlie's got to give him enough at bats to develop his timing.
Posted 12:40 PM, 11/16/2009
joeolive
I dont think the Phillies want to eat Dobb's 1.35... they already are eating 1.75 (Jenkins and Eaton). As I meant to say in my previous post... I think Jerry Hairston Jr could take Bruntlett's spot... He can play 2nd, SS, 3rd and the outfield. Maybe they could get Placido Polanco back and split time at 3rd between the two.
Posted 12:41 PM, 11/16/2009
smel4727
Eric Bruntlett was an asset to the Phillies just so long as he didn't actually play in a game. I will miss complaining about him next year. Happy trails, Mr. Bruntlett; Happy trails!
Posted 12:42 PM, 11/16/2009
Iwantanotherparade
Murphy, what is going on with Zagurski? Any chance he can help the big club next year?
About David Murphy
David Murphy joined the Daily News as its Phillies beat writer in February of 2008. Born in Upper Merion and raised in the Poconos, he attended college at La Salle University before taking jobs with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun-News and the St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) Times.

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