By SCOTT LAUBERCan I let you in on a little secret? Sometimes, the best thing a beat writer can do is hang out in the media cafeteria. That's because, in the hour or so before a game, any number of people will pass through, including front-office types and scouts. And, on a slow news day (or even a busy one), striking up a conversation with some of those folks could trigger a dormant story idea.
Anyway, I was in the cafeteria a few nights ago when I ran into a scout who I've known for many years. I won't give away his identity, but I'll say that he works for an NL team. We chatted for a few minutes, and just before we parted company, he asked the following question.
Are the Phillies going to re-sign Pat Burrell?
The answer, of course, is that they aren't sure. They've certainly discussed it, and they'll talk more once the season ends. Days like yesterday -- when Burrell went 3-for-5 with a tone-setting three-run homer in the first inning, matched a personal-best with his 10th career five-RBI game, and did almost everything except speak to reporters afterward -- make it a tough call. Burrell has reached the 30-homer plateau for a second straight season and the fourth time in his nine-season career. He has 75 RBIs, and he'd have many more if he hadn't spent so much time hitting behind Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. And, as usual, he leads the Phils with a .390 on-base percentage that also ranks seventh-best in the NL.
Burrell is making $14 million this season, the final year of a six-year, $50 million contract, and if he hits the open market, he'll have suitors. After Manny Ramirez, Milton Bradley, Bobby Abreu, Adam Dunn and possibly Vlad Guerrero (the Angels could exercise their $15 million option), the free-agent outfield class is weak. Burrell will be only 32 in October, and he has averaged 28 home runs and 94 RBIs over the past seven seasons. Not many players have done that.
So, my scout friend and I agreed. If you're a GM, particularly of an AL team, Burrell is an attractive corner-outfield and/or DH option. Off the top of my head, I think he'd be a nice fit in Atlanta, Oakland and Baltimore, and I'm sure he'll draw interest elsewhere, too. He loves living in Philly, but I doubt he'll grant a hometown discount, especially if he has lucrative offers.
Now, I know that Jamie (The Blog's resident Burrell defender) and certainly this guy want the Phillies to open their wallet to keep Pat The Bat. How about the rest of y'all? If you're the Phils next GM (they'll be hiring soon, ya know), how would you answer the Burrell question?
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After his two-run home run helped lead Team USA to the bronze in Beijing, Phils shortstop prospect Jason Donald said he'll be sorry to see baseball excluded from the 2012 Summer Games in London.
"When you think of summer, you think of baseball," Donald told reporters. "It's the biggest summer sport there is, and I don't care what country you're in -- Japan, Korea, the United States, Latin America. I think people who came out here, they were able to watch the games and saw how exciting each game was. It usually came down to the last couple of innings. It's unfortunate the decision has been made because this was a great tournament."
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Within the Phillies notebook, assistant GM Mike Arbuckle discusses the odds of Donald or U.S. Olympic catcher Lou Marson getting called up in September (don't bet on it), and Geoff Jenkins gets emotional about his right hip flexor strain.
And, within the Sunday MLB notes, Joe Torre refuses the urge to gloat over the Yankees' problems, Matt Treanor gets weepy over his wife's gold medal, and Barack Obama's campaign manager is a Wilmington native and a big-time Phillies fan.
Enjoy your Sunday, everyone.
7 comments:
Trade Howard for pitching and a big time corner OF and move Burrell to first. His defense there will be better than Howard's and we won't need someone like Taguchi to be his late-inning defensive caddy at 1B.
Definitely bring Burrell back. The team without Burrell is not likely to be a playoff team, and with Burrell, they are still a solid contender.
Unfortunately, the payroll for next year after adding in arbitration estimates is probably already a tick over $100MM, so it would require the front office realizing that it's more profitable to have an $115MM playoff team than a $100MM team that wins 85 games. Hopefully they realize that or at least follow their weird anti-profit-maximizing plan of spending based on previous years' revenue and sign him anyway.
If Burrell is willing to do 3 years, you have to jump on that, and even 4 years is probably okay. If it's 5 years, I see the hesitation. There really isn't anyone out there in that price range who is going to add as many wins as Burrell will-- Burrell adds about four wins a season versus starting the average quad-A guy. The other players on the free agent market who can do that-- Dunn and Manny-- probably will cost more, and Dunn is another LH and Manny is probably going to want 4 years, $100MM even though he has about the same production as Burrell at this point in his career.
After thinking about it, I don't think he should be brought back. The fans don't care for him and he doesn't relate well with the media. Go after a free agent.
Bring Burrell back?? Thats a no-brainer. Of course you re-sign him! The previous comment about the fans not liking him is a crock. The true PHANS love Burrell. We're tough on his when he's not living up to his potential. And then he realizes it and turns it around and has a season like this one.
Burrell is consistent and patient at the plate. He gets more patient each year (100 walks a year? nuts!) At his age, he deserves a 2 year contract with a 3rd year option. After 3 years he may benefit from a DH job, but for now the Phils need him. He's a homegrown talent that we should not let go of.
We don't want Manny. He's a tool.
I'd bring back Burrell if he'll take a deal of 3 years or less (even 3 and an option) or $15M a year or less.
as an aside, what is the deal with ESPN's newfound love for the Phils?? 2 consequtive primetime airing? I didn't know EPSN had heard of any teams that didn't rhyme with "hankees" or "dead sox." I can't begin to explain it, but me and my Baltimore cable channels will enjoy it while it lasts!
Gas costs keep them from traveling
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