Burrell Close to Rays
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Burrell Close to Rays
Todd Zolecki
Well, at least Pat Burrell already knows the Tampa/Clearwater area.
Burrell is close to a two-year, $16 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. His career in Philadelphia ended when the Phillies signed Raul Ibanez last month. Burrell reportedly will be Tampa Bay's DH, which should be interesting because Burrell hasn't fared well as a DH. In 85 at-bats in 22 career games as a DH, Burrell has hit .153 with just one homer and seven RBIs.
Burrell made $14 million last season with the Phillies, which was one reason why the Phillies didn't offer him salary arbitration. They figured if they offered Burrell salary arbitration that he would accept because he would have received a raise, possibly making $16 million next season on a one-year contract. The Phillies simply preferred to go in a different direction, so they declined to offer Burrell arbitration and didn't pursue him as a free agent. They believe they're a better team with Ibanez than Burrell.
Of course, time will tell.
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There's going to be a lot of talk in upcoming weeks about salary arbitration and potential long term contracts for Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels. Keep in mind that Howard can't become a free agent until after the 2011 season and Hamels can't become a free agent until after the 2012 season, so the Phillies don't feel any immediate pressure to get anything done. Instead, I think you'll see the Phillies try to sign players like Jayson Werth and Ryan Madson to contract extensions because they can become free agents sooner. Now, if the Phillies and Howard/Hamels talked about a deal that made sense, I think the Phillies would move on it. But if Howard is looking for A-Rod money, they're not just going to give it to him, either.
Still sorry to see Pat the Bat move on, but wish him luck in sunny Florida.— KarenA- He will be a good fit..good luck to Pat.— philsfan in the atx
- Sorry to see pat go, happy to be saving all the money while upgrading LF. Any progress reports on Utley and Feliz? Any news on a RHB for the bench?— jeff gross
- Raul is not an upgrade. Except last year, he was bad against lefties. Old players can get bad real quick. Rather have Burrell for 2 than Ibanez for 3.
- I'd gladly take Pat at 2/16 over Raul at 3/31, but life moves on. Best of luck Pat, I'll miss you.— JPK512
- Rocco Baldelli? Seems like the perfect right handed batter off the bench to me.— mdriban
- Ibanez is a career .268 hitter againse lefties. Burrell is .276. Doesn't seem to be much of a difference. Besides, how many pitchers in the league are left-handed? 25% maybe? The whole "too many lefties" argument is a bit overused if you ask me. You never hear anyone say a team has too many right-handed hitters.— Potus415
Comment removed.- srg12969 - Ibanez is a much more productive hitter overall. And he isn't streaky like Pat, so we won't go through 3 month stretches of watching him bat .200. And all reports are that Ibanez is a great clubhouse guy and teammate, so there is nothing to indicate he "will never" bring that intangible to the team.— Gary Varsho
- He is leaving on a high note. Hate to see him go. He really understood the Philadelphia fans. Feel bad he has to deal with those cow bells now though.— Beef69
- I'm with Gary on this one for reasons stated. Having a more consistant hitter behind Howard in the lineup won't let other teams pitch around him as much (assuming Howard will swing at strikes...LOL). Best wishes Pat, not sure you'll see a series again with Tampa, but thanks for a truly memorable 2008.— jimmymack
- Comment removed.
- The Phils are playing TB this year (6/23-25), but sadly it is in TB. Shame, he would have gotten a big cheer here.— lseltzer
- Good luck Pat! I hope that you hit a 9th inning double to win World Series for the Rays and beat the stinken Mets!!!— NickEeee
- $8 mil per year? There's no way he would have taken that deal to stay with the Phils....it's a desperation signing by Pat because he doesn't see much else out there for him.....although I love him to death (and I'm not gay), his usefullness on the field and to the team is declining rapidly......Ibanez will replace his clubhouse loss just fine and the lineup and team speed/defense will be improved, no question. This is a win-win for the Phils.....maybe Pat can come back as a bench player/PH in 2 years and play a year then retire as a Phil?— Mark1npt
