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Monday, January 5, 2009
Dissecting the Burrell Move

About an hour ago, I received a text message from a buddy of mine who also happens to be a Boston Red Sox fan. It read, "The Rays signing Pat Burrell to a two-year deal? Great for us."

I don't agree.

In fact, I think Burrell is the perfect piece for the Rays line-up, and I think that they got a steal in getting him for two years and $16 million. Obviously, the Phillies didn't want the left fielder back in town, as evidenced by the three years and $30 million they handed Raul Ibanez. They obviously view Ibanez as an upgrade, someone who can bring the consistency that Burrell sometimes lacked.

But while the Phillies wanted someone more reliable hitting behind Ryan Howard, the Rays were in search for a powerful right-handed bat for the middle of the line-up. And they found it in Burrell.

Check out the Rays potential Opening Day line-up:

  1. Akinori Iwamura 2B
  2. Carl Crawford LF
  3. B.J. Upton CF
  4. Carlos Pena 1B
  5. Evan Longoria 3B
  6. Pat Burrell DH
  7. Ben Zobrist/Rocco Baldelli RF
  8. Dioner Navarro C
  9. Jason Bartlett SS

It appears as if Burrell will serve as the Rays' DH. Carl Crawford is entrenched in left field, and neither he nor Burrell has ever played RF. Designated hitter is a role in which Burrell has struggled during his limited action in interleague play. In 85 career at-bats as a DH, Burrell has hit.153/.258/.224 with one home run and seven RBI. But I don't put too much stock into those numbers. I'm sure DH is like any other position -- it takes time to learn.

Posted by David Murphy @ 4:26 PM  Permalink | 23 comments
23
Comments   
Posted 04:53 PM, 01/05/2009
tjc
Conventional wisdom says Burrell would've gotten more than $8 mil. a year in arbitration, right?
Posted 04:58 PM, 01/05/2009
ktdb05
See you in the World Series Pat!
Posted 05:04 PM, 01/05/2009
ktdb05
Yes that is the conventional wisdom. Apparently you always get a raise in arbitration.
Posted 05:20 PM, 01/05/2009
Jeffrey
Really? Can I have some arbitration then?
Posted 05:28 PM, 01/05/2009
PhiladelphiaWings
I wonder if the Phillies will someday retire Burrell's number 5? I would have said no chance prior to winning the world series, but I think the WS win makes it at least a conversation worth having. He's second or third on the team's all time home run list.
Posted 05:29 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 05:42 PM, 01/05/2009
Earl J
The Phils have only retired HOF's and PB is not a HOF but for 2@16 Phil's should of kept him. Amaro spent early and got burnt.
Posted 05:52 PM, 01/05/2009
bigredmachinefan
This signing is very interesting on so many fronts. Baseball economic front. This offseason for free agents really will be about haves and have nots...Everyone after Burrell, except maybe Manny, will see a pay-cut. It would be interesting to see how this class fares pre and post signing in terms of total payroll. Griffey, Abreu, et al will all now have to take pay cuts. From a Pat the Bat career perspective...he has now rolled the dice (and left $5 million on the table from Phillies offer) and will have to play out the string in the AL as a DH. No way he ever returns to the NL, or ever gets serious time again as an outfielder. If he learns to hit as DH, big upside. If he struggles, slumps and is inconsistent, he will have a short career. Batting 6th in the Rays line-up puts alot of pressure on Pat to become something he has never been....a consistent, contact, move the runners over hitter. Good luck Pat.
Posted 06:06 PM, 01/05/2009
bigredmachinefan
Pat's number never gets retired, no matter where he stands on team list...that should only be available to guys who make the hof. Such an interesting signing on so many levels. For the remaining free agent power hitters, it signals you will have to take a pay cut, not a raise (and yes, Arbitration should factor that in, including for Howard...he should play for $9mil this year on general principle.) Only remaining free agent slugger who may (and that is a big may) get a raise is Manny. For Pat, this is a big risk. He is done in the NL, and as a regular everyday outfielder. He is going to be asked to hit 6, which means consistency and clutch, not long slumps and hit for the fences. If he struggles, he will have a short remaining career.
Posted 06:50 PM, 01/05/2009
philly psu 24
Phillies don't get their rings on Opening Night. They're getting them on Wednesday the 8th. Rays are in Boston that night. Maybe on a Tampa Bay off day they can bring him back and give him his ring the way they ought to - in front of 45,000 Phillies fans. Good luck Pat! It's a shame your team of 10 seasons had no interest in you anymore ...
Posted 07:20 PM, 01/05/2009
DR Heller
Very sad that he turned down 22 mil in the summer and he could have stayed. Good luck Pat. Hope you continue to beat up and show the AL east that it wasn't a fluke what the rays did last year.
Posted 07:37 PM, 01/05/2009
eaglephanatic
It is possible that no NL teams were interested in paying a high price for a fielder that often did not play a whole game. It adds variables to the game. One could argue that Pat had his highest value in the AL as a PH. It might be better for Pat, too. The slumps could be a problem, though. Good luck, Pat, except when you are playing the Phils.
Posted 08:00 PM, 01/05/2009
nicknac21
Ben Zobrist/Rocco Baldelli? Dude do your homework. The Tigers traded for Matt Joyce. He's their RFer. Seriously, i shouldnt have to tell you that.
Posted 08:03 PM, 01/05/2009
nicknac21
Tigers got Edwin Jackson -- Tampa got Matt Joyce. Zobrist was the RFer in the World Series but that was his first time there in years. He's a super utility guy and baldelli wont be on the team.
Posted 08:10 PM, 01/05/2009
PYW
Were other teams even bidding for Burrell? Anyone know?
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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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