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Monday, January 5, 2009
Burrell Close to Rays

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.

*

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.

Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 4:15 PM  Permalink | 80 comments
80
Comments   
Posted 03:37 PM, 01/05/2009
KarenA
Still sorry to see Pat the Bat move on, but wish him luck in sunny Florida.
Posted 03:38 PM, 01/05/2009
philsfan in the atx
He will be a good fit..good luck to Pat.
Posted 04:02 PM, 01/05/2009
jeff gross
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?
Posted 04:16 PM, 01/05/2009
FightinPhil
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.
Posted 04:18 PM, 01/05/2009
JPK512
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.
Posted 04:19 PM, 01/05/2009
mdriban
Rocco Baldelli? Seems like the perfect right handed batter off the bench to me.
Posted 04:23 PM, 01/05/2009
Potus415
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.
Comment removed.
Posted 04:32 PM, 01/05/2009
Gary Varsho
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.
Posted 04:37 PM, 01/05/2009
Beef69
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.
Posted 04:42 PM, 01/05/2009
jimmymack
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.
Posted 04:46 PM, 01/05/2009
inquisitor
I would take consistency over streakiness anytime! I also would make that statement comparing Howard to Teixeira.
Posted 04:50 PM, 01/05/2009
lseltzer
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.
Posted 04:52 PM, 01/05/2009
NickEeee
Good luck Pat! I hope that you hit a 9th inning double to win World Series for the Rays and beat the stinken Mets!!!
Posted 04:54 PM, 01/05/2009
Mark1npt
$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?
Posted 04:55 PM, 01/05/2009
MarkNJ
lseltzer - We play TB in 2 exhibition games at CBP on April 3rd and 4th, so I'm sure that's going to be exciting.
Posted 05:00 PM, 01/05/2009
rockinrob
Sad to say, but Pat may have a better chance at a second World Series ring then the Phils. Pat is nobody's fool. He is going to a team that is young and loaded with pitching and talent. Burell-1- Amaro Jr.-nada-.
Posted 05:03 PM, 01/05/2009
mwilx1
THanks for everything Pat. Best of luck in the AL.
Posted 05:04 PM, 01/05/2009
Shabba Rommel
It was time for Burrell to move on and wish him well. I like the Ibenez signing but still would like to see one more power righty in the lineup.
Posted 05:05 PM, 01/05/2009
93phils
Dont forget, Florida does not have income taxes. So his 2 year 16 mill is a lot more than it seems. I am not sure what tax bracket he was in, but the deal would not be equal if the Phils offered the same thing.
Comment removed.
Posted 05:08 PM, 01/05/2009
93phils
rockinrob, do you forget that the Yankees and Red Sox are in the same division as the Rays?
Posted 05:16 PM, 01/05/2009
Todd Pratt
Good signing by the Rays.
Posted 05:16 PM, 01/05/2009
MiddleNameHussein
We need to sign Lowe.
Posted 05:20 PM, 01/05/2009
Discostu
Potus415 - the Cubs had too many righthanded bats...It hurt them in the playoffs, but I agree with your logic. There just aren't that many quality lefties in the game...and we have one of the best already on our team.
Posted 05:25 PM, 01/05/2009
Jim C.
"although I love him to death (and I'm not gay)" anyone that has to go out of their way to pronounce they are "not gay," is clearly gay.
Posted 05:30 PM, 01/05/2009
J H
Looking back, did we do better with Pat Burrell than we would have with J.D. Drew?
Posted 05:30 PM, 01/05/2009
sillybilly
I would have loved to see him stay, but Tampa is a perfect fit for that boy. Best Of Luck to Pat.
Posted 05:31 PM, 01/05/2009
BHite15
cant wait to see Pat as a Ray at Citizens Bank Park in early April, I wonder if Pat will stick around to get his ring during the Phillies opening night, since the Rays dont play until the next day in Boston and Pat will be in town for two days before hand
Posted 05:32 PM, 01/05/2009
Earl J
2@16 for PB vs. Raul at 3@31. PB is a no brainer at these numbers. Commitment is shorter, PB is much younger, both are weak in the field but PB has a gun for a arm, a great eye and the chemistry is proven. I would rather use the extra bucks toward sinker baller Derrick Lowe.
Posted 05:37 PM, 01/05/2009
Earl J
Elvis will also be in heat there.........
Posted 05:39 PM, 01/05/2009
NMPartners
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?
Posted 05:41 PM, 01/05/2009
GHOSTPHAYCE
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.
Posted 05:46 PM, 01/05/2009
Ashburn072
Wishing Pat Burrell the very best w. his new team~
Posted 05:46 PM, 01/05/2009
joboggi
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
Posted 05:48 PM, 01/05/2009
allegrabene
Raul Ibanez. Reminds me of the Gregg Jefferies signing. Worked out well didn't it
Posted 05:52 PM, 01/05/2009
kierenmcd
lseltzer, the Rays play the Phils in Philadelphia for the 2-game preseason exhibition on April 3-4.
Posted 05:52 PM, 01/05/2009
Truth
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......
Posted 05:53 PM, 01/05/2009
JFranklin
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.
Posted 06:01 PM, 01/05/2009
bobby
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.)
Posted 06:04 PM, 01/05/2009
woody7236
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.
Posted 06:04 PM, 01/05/2009
phillymom
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.
Posted 06:04 PM, 01/05/2009
Norma
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!
Posted 06:05 PM, 01/05/2009
dankil13
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!
Posted 06:05 PM, 01/05/2009
JimEisenreich
burrells OBP is significantly higher than ibanez. the phillies paid TWICE as much to downgrade. awful.
Posted 06:08 PM, 01/05/2009
gallen024
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..
Posted 06:10 PM, 01/05/2009
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...
Posted 06:13 PM, 01/05/2009
RJ Marrella
Pat: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. But really... do we need more than one .250 hitter on this team.... I mean, there is no way to tell if Howard has any intention of giving us a full season... he killed the Phils in the first three months... AS for Pattie, he'll do well in Tampa... He goes to a good team, but his AL numbers are scary bad. So let's just say "good luck" and "thanks again."
Posted 06:18 PM, 01/05/2009
Betweenthelines
Both Pat Burrell and Raul Ibanez have the bat and experience to play left field. But the Phillies dumped some salary by going to Ibanez. It's a dollar driven world we live in. I don't follow NickEeee's logic. He said: "Good luck Pat! I hope that you hit a 9th inning double to win World Series for the Rays and beat the stinken Mets!!!" That could happen only if the Mets beat the Phillies to appear in the World Series. I guess he sees the post-season going up to the new CitiField.
Posted 06:18 PM, 01/05/2009
Betweenthelines
Both Pat Burrell and Raul Ibanez have the bat and experience to play left field. But the Phillies dumped some salary by going to Ibanez. It's a dollar driven world we live in. I don't follow NickEeee's logic. He said: "Good luck Pat! I hope that you hit a 9th inning double to win World Series for the Rays and beat the stinken Mets!!!" That could happen only if the Mets beat the Phillies to appear in the World Series. I guess he sees the post-season going up to the new CitiField.
Posted 06:20 PM, 01/05/2009
PhillyIam
How ironic... I was surprised he got that much...
Posted 06:21 PM, 01/05/2009
betsy72
I heard (maybe on espn.com?) that the Phillies had offered $22 million for 2 years to Burrell sometime during the season. I guess he was convinced someone else was going to give him 3. Why else would he turn down such big numbers?
Posted 06:22 PM, 01/05/2009
maude
I hate you, Amaro.
Posted 06:29 PM, 01/05/2009
YIPO
Whatever. At that money he can worry about ME.I could care less about him.
Comment removed.
Posted 06:45 PM, 01/05/2009
stoky
At least Pat won't hear that many loud boos when he fails to run out a Faux Home Run and ends up caught between first a second.
Comment removed.
Posted 06:46 PM, 01/05/2009
erniebanks14
NickEeee, how's he going to do that when the stinking Mets won't be in the series? Don't overestimate that team just because they signed a reliever.
Posted 06:47 PM, 01/05/2009
philsfan in the atx
LOL at the Greg Jeffries comment, just ridiculous. Ibanez bashers do you want walks behind Chase and Howard or a guy who hits 290 and 300+ with runners on base? And please stop with the lefty #s as an arguement, Ibanez career average vs lefties is still 11 points higher then Pats entire Career average, think about that one for a second. Also Burrell was offered a good bit more by the Phils then what he signed for with the Rays so Amaro is not at fault, the market/econonmy caught up to Pat and the other 1A free agents.
Posted 06:49 PM, 01/05/2009
city slicker
Ibanez in the Bank, Watch the numbers fly!
Posted 06:52 PM, 01/05/2009
seaonasdad
what I don't get, is they could have signed Burrell for 2 at even 20 million, and saved the other 11 million to get Derek Lowe, instead of a 36-year old who will be 40 during the last year of his contract, and will break down QUICK. I just don't get it. I mean, I know they just won the World Series, but I'm thinking they are reverting backwards here.
Posted 06:57 PM, 01/05/2009
philsfan in the atx
So Ibanez slows down at age 39 and hits....275 with 20 HR and 90 RBI..wow thatll really kill us eh. I think each player is different and Ibanez #s have not decreased AT ALL the past 4 seasons..when we signed Jenkins last year that was first red flag i saw were his #s going the wrong direction the past 3 seasons..Plus a good arguement is Ibanez body hasnt taken the abuse of an everday big leaguer until age of 30 when he started to play everyday. Not to be a jerk Eisenreich but i cant resist.."paying twice as much for a player" that would be 16 M per year we are paying Ibanez 10 just have an extra year..your off by a mile my friend.
Posted 07:12 PM, 01/05/2009
jearnha
Go away Pat. Enjoy your contract. I don't hate you at all - just go away please. Thank you.
Posted 07:12 PM, 01/05/2009
stop2think
I think you are selling Ibanez short. How do you know he will not fit in with the chemistry on the team? Do tell. I did not know so many people personally know all the personalities on the team. I wish Pat all the best in the world but I think alot of people forget that Burrell was frustratingly inconsistent during his career here. Sure he had a great first half in 09, but I think he was 1-14 in the WS. If he did not have that double in Game 5, his most ardent supporters on this board would be no where to be found.
Posted 07:23 PM, 01/05/2009
surreptTB
Thanks for the reject, Philly. Glad to have him in TB
Posted 07:51 PM, 01/05/2009
dankil13
gallen024 - I thought Feliciano is in the Mets bullpen? And most teams have at least 1 LH specialists - they are usually nothing special but tough on LH hitters.
Posted 07:57 PM, 01/05/2009
ralphj
i amsure he will be swinging hit bat around the new town...
Posted 08:04 PM, 01/05/2009
phillyboobird
The move: Burrell out and Ibanez in, I really liked Pat, he seemed streaky, but his numbers were consistent every year. So, the jury's still out and we'll see. But what scares me to death, is Amaro making moves just to make moves, I just feel that he's dying to put his name on this team. I still don't think he was the right choice for GM, but I hope he proves me wrong.
Posted 08:14 PM, 01/05/2009
kenny000001
Thanks for a great 2008 Pat, Good Luck in Tampa. You won't be forgotten
Posted 08:31 PM, 01/05/2009
flyersfan74
I guess that makes sense since he lives in Florida, but I would think he would want to play for a team better than Tampa Bay, last season was a fluke - The Rays will be back in the AL East basement this season. Good Luck Pat - You will be missed.
Posted 09:23 PM, 01/05/2009
Mark1npt
Can't for the life of me see why the Rays wanted a strike out prone, bases clogging player...but I guess the discount they paid at only $8mil per year was too good to pass up.....I think we dumped him at just the right time.....
Posted 09:24 PM, 01/05/2009
NJLouis66
Good for Pat. Has a home nearby, went to college in Florida, gets to take swings in the new Yankee Stadium and at the Green Monster in Fenway, has loads of money, is only 32, has a WS ring (soon anyway), and has a chance to compete on a great young team for at least a couple of years. I think this contract might be a bit of a reality check for him, but hey, life is good. And some of you need to give Ibanez a chance, OK? The guy can hit. He's consistent, healthy, and has a work ethic that will blend very well with this team. I too am disappointed persaonlly that Burrell is gone, but I've definitely warmed up to Raul.
Posted 09:29 PM, 01/05/2009
NoBama
Way to go Pat the Bat!! Thanks for all your contributions throughout the years in Philly. Congratulations on your World Series ring and your new contract!! We will miss you.
Posted 09:36 PM, 01/05/2009
hoyaray
I wish we would have held out for Burrell. This would have been a much better deal for the Phils. I know they have a LF in the minors they think will be here soon, but Ibanez is here for 3 instead of Burrell's 2. Also, who says that Ibanez is improving the teams speed/defense? Looking at his range ranking, he's far behind Burrell. From what I hear, he might be the only LF slower than Pat. I wish we had Pat back, and put that money into locking up Hamels, Victorino, Werth, and Madson to long term deals.
Posted 09:52 PM, 01/05/2009
PYW
Maybe it won't mean anything in the long term, but Ibanez was in much bigger demand this offseason than Burrell. Ibanez had at least four other teams interested in him, and they weren't basement dwellers, either. TB is a good fit for Burrell, but the fact he got $8 million a year tells you his value wasn't exactly sky high.
Posted 10:07 PM, 01/05/2009
cujat13
Tampa is coming to Citizens Bank Park for the last spring series.
Posted 10:09 PM, 01/05/2009
KMG
I say we improved our defense with Ibanez. No offense to Pat but have you seen him in LF the last two years? I never thought I'd say this but at this point in his career he's worse than Jefferies. Pat needs to be a DH and he can't be that here. Ibanez is a significant upgrade over what Pat is at this point in his career, a streaky hitter who can't play the field.
Comment removed.
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Posted 11:57 PM, 01/05/2009
Curse of Billy Penn
Amaro looks worse and worse every day. He couldn't have made this deal instead of getting ANOTHER left-handed bat?!! Not that CM ever breaks up Utley/Howard anyway...and now he'll have 3 lefties he can put back to back to back and have a half a dozen lefties on the bench too. Ugh. I didn't mind leaving him go, but to pay that much more for marginally better talent (from the wrong side of the plate than what was needed) seems really dumb. Oh well....WFC baby!
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