Burrell Close to Rays
Well, at least Pat Burrell already knows the Tampa/Clearwater area.
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.
Phils play Tampa HERE for the On Deck Series April 3 and 4 before opening with the Braves. Fans will get a chance to show our appreciation to pat then. I am a huge Pat Burrell fan but I have a hard time with the long slumps. He hit .191 combined in August and September and had as many WS RBIs as Bruntlett. That being said, he had some BIG playoff moments, 2 HR game vs the Brewers, GW HR vs the Dodgers and the double that should have been a GW HR in Game 5 vs the Rays. As much as I liked him, his production is replaceable. As far as chemistry, wasn't Rowand's impact supposed to be missed? How did that work out for the Phils and SF?— NMPartners- Tampa got Burrell on the cheap. $8M/year for a guy who averages close to 30HR and 100RBI is a nice deal for them. Good luck Pat, hopefully we'll see you in the playoffs again.— GHOSTPHAYCE
- Ok, Ibanez cost is $2 million more per year, PLUS a first round draft pick. Furthermore, the THIRD year of Ibanez contract may WELL be a total loss, given Ibanez age. So the Phils lost $6 million to $14 million total, plus a first round draft pick. Based on OPS+ and defensive stats, Burrell and Ibanez are the same. Granted, Ibanez is more consistent, and Burrell is streaky. Bottom line, lack of patience is costing the Phils. Waiting and giving Burrell Ibanez contract would have been just fine. That would have been fine, and saved a top draft pick. Oooops— joboggi
- Raul Ibanez. Reminds me of the Gregg Jefferies signing. Worked out well didn't it— allegrabene
- lseltzer, the Rays play the Phils in Philadelphia for the 2-game preseason exhibition on April 3-4.— kierenmcd
- unfortunatly for Pat he really misunderstood the market. Even though it has not been reported I'm sure the Phils offered him similar numbers and he turned it down. In agreement with Varsho and jmack the team is better with Ibanez than Burrell no doubt. I'll miss Pat he was pretty much the onlyt player that could give Howard cover during his slumps b/c he also had so many horrific stetches......— Truth
- Pat could have stayed here, but he(or his agent) overvalued his services. No ones for sure if Phils would have agreed to 2/16, but, all reports indicate he turned down 2/24 last year. Bad decision. Im happy that we look to have a guy behind Ryan who isnt such a streaky hitter.— JFranklin
Sorry to see Pat go, but he went out on as good of a note as you can, I guess. He'll always be remembered as the guy who set the table for the winning World Series run. Shame that ball wasn't a foot to the left... it would have been a storybook homer for his last hit as a Phillie. Good Luck Pat! (I would have said it will be nice for Pat to play in the warm sunshine of Fla, but they play in that hole of an indoor stadium. Sad.)— bobby
I would have resigned Pat at 8 mil per year and so would've the Phils, but that was never an option. Ibanez is the better player. I've always liked Burrell, but it is funny how many would have run him out of town on a rail a short time ago.- I think that the Phillies should have resigned him.He was a key part in them winning the world series and then they just throw him to the side like trash.Good luck Pat in Tampa Bay.— phillymom
- Guess it's finalized. Just heard it on 6ABC. Only good thing for me......The first Spring Training game I'm going to, is against TB on March 12th. I anticipate a HUGE cheer for Pat! Then boo's for the rest of the team. LOL!— Norma
- I think most of you are dismissing the fact that most teams have a good LH reliever in the bullpen, which late in the game with 3 L/H hitters coming up, will make it real tough on the Phils in CRUNCH time (esp with no real RH threat sitting on the bench). Its much harder for lefties to hit other lefties the 1st time around!— dankil13
- burrells OBP is significantly higher than ibanez. the phillies paid TWICE as much to downgrade. awful.
- Pat Burrell signed with the Rays? I think we should all jump off of a bridge.. Give Ibanez a chance, he is better than Burrell.. So Negative around here, this will be a better signing for the Phillies.. Pat is now a DH, he can't field, and he did turn down the Phillies offer..— gallen024
- Dankil13, who is the Mets LH reliever? How bout the Marlins? Or the Nats? The only team in the division with one is the Braves...— gallen024
