Phillies bid adieu to Bruntlett
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Phillies bid adieu to Bruntlett
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
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.
Goodbye to Cholloe's good luck charm...— Ed3- That's not a surprise... I always would yell an expletive when I saw him getting ready to pinch hit: "Why, Charlie? Why?!"— thegloryofoldstate
- Jerry Hairston Jr— joeolive
- 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.— KGKoons
- how are we going to fill the void left by bruntlett and his unsightly beard?— holleratrob
Comment removed.- Ed Wade will give him a job.
- I hope this is in preperation for the DeRosa signing.— chasing history
- Comment removed.
- Bye-bye, Bootsie Bruntlett— doconnor4431
- 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.— amc312
- 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.— steveku2
- 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.— joeolive
- 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!— smel4727
- Murphy, what is going on with Zagurski? Any chance he can help the big club next year?— Iwantanotherparade
