State of Frustration

The concerns seem to have faded into frustration or resignation.

Maybe that's because Phillies fans have seen this before. They remember 2003.

Leftfielder Pat Burrell is struggling like he struggled four years ago, when he hit .209 with 21 home runs and 64 RBIs. He is hitting .205 with eight homers and 31 RBIs this season, and is on pace to finish with 17 homers and 66 RBIs. Burrell is hitting .127 since May 30 and .146 since April 25.

His .376 slugging percentage ranks 52d out of 63 outfielders in baseball.

"Anytime you're not doing well, yeah, you're going to be frustrated," said Burrell, who has been benched four times in the last seven games. "You've just got to keep going out there and working."

Burrell's problems have created interesting dilemmas for manager Charlie Manuel, who is in the final season of a three-year contract, and general manager Pat Gillick.

Manuel probably needs to make the postseason to return in 2008. His only chance to win with a decimated pitching staff is a powerful offense, so in a perfect world, Burrell would be hitting like he did in 2005. He had 117 RBIs that year, which ranked second in the National League. He also had 95 RBIs last season, despite struggles with runners in scoring position.

But here's the catch: Burrell can't hit unless he plays, and right now, Manuel stands a better chance to win with Greg Dobbs, Jayson Werth or Michael Bourn playing in left field.

"When I come to the ballpark and I look at the lineup, I'm trying to win that game," Manuel said. "But let me tell you something: If somebody gets hot or somebody starts hitting, like Dobbs, it's hard to keep somebody out of the lineup who's doing his job. I'll still give [Burrell] a chance to play. I haven't given up on him. . . . But sometimes it's hard to get going if you're off and on. That's tough. I think about that a lot."

Burrell has talked with Manuel about his playing time recently.

"We'll end up talking about the things we want to try to get him going again," Manuel said. "He's very understanding about things, but Pat Burrell definitely wants to play and he definitely wants to win."

Burrell's problems also have created a challenge for Gillick.

The Phillies have tried for more than a year to trade Burrell, who has a full no-trade clause and is making $13 million this season and $14 million next season. They have found no takers, and any scant interest that might have existed certainly has evaporated because nobody wants a .200 hitter who will make $14 million.

Would anybody even want him if the Phillies picked up half his salary next season? How about 75 percent? How about more?

Burrell's contract not only provides Gillick little payroll flexibility, something he craves and something that could be important come the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, but it also means the Phillies could have one less chip to move.

That chip could be centerfielder Aaron Rowand.

Because Rowand is a free agent after the season and because he has been incredibly productive - he has better numbers than any centerfielder in the National League this year - his name often is mentioned in trade speculation.

Rowand would be a valuable piece for a contending team, if the Phillies want to move him. And he could land the Phillies the pitching help they absolutely need.

But it would be tough to trade him.

If the Phils trade Rowand, it would leave them without a productive righthanded bat, and Manuel is big on having balance in his lineup (although he certainly would prefer some competent arms). So if the Phillies are going to land an arm, they might need to find pieces elsewhere.

If only the 30-year-old Burrell would turn himself around in his eighth season with the team.

How worried are the Phillies about him at this point?

"Probably not any more than he's worried about it," said Ruben Amaro Jr., the team's assistant general manager. "He's probably pretty upset about it, I would assume. Obviously, we want him to be more productive, but he's not right now. Hopefully, he gets out of it."

"I've just been inconsistent," Burrell said. "Consistency is the name of the game. You try to go up there with a consistent approach and consistent swings. Not fouling off pitches you should hit and vice versa. It's all about getting a feel and trying to keep it. If you do have one game where you feel like you've got it going, it can carry on."

Do these struggles compare to his struggles in the past?

"I really don't think about that," he said. "We're trying to win. That's what I'm thinking about. I want to put us in a position to score runs. I'm trying to make the most out of these at-bats. Be productive. Try to get on base. Try to drive some guys in."

So far, that hasn't happened.

He needs it to happen, and soon.