So, if the Phils don't re-sign Pat Burrell, how will they replace him?
Burrell has not yet filed for free agency (he will), and the Phillies haven't opened negotiations with his agents (they will). But, already, this has become the question of the offseason, sort of the way Aaron Rowand's impending free agency occupied our hot-stove talk last year. The Phillies have three in-house options (Greg Dobbs, Matt Stairs, Geoff Jenkins), but they're all left-handed hitters. Ryan Howard and Chase Utley make the Phillies' lineup lefty-dominant, and although righty-swinging Jayson Werth will be more of a fixture in the offense next season, Charlie Manuel and GM Ruben Amaro Jr. will want to replace Burrell with a right-handed hitter in order to maintain middle-of-the-order balance.
Here, then, are two suggestions, and an examination of each:
a) Milton Bradley
b) Casey Blake
BRADLEYThe upside: A switch-hitter, he notched career-highs with 22 home runs and 77 RBIs for the Rangers, and although he struck out 112 times, he also drew 80 walks and had a .436 on-base percentage (Utley led the Phils at .380). He also has been classified as a Type B free agent, which means the Phillies wouldn't forfeit their first-round draft pick for signing him. (Burrell is a Type A, so the Phils will receive a first-rounder if they lose him.)
The downside: Bradley wants a multiyear contract and insists he'll sit out the 2009 season if he doesn't get one. He was mostly a DH last season. His fiery temper is well-known, and the perception, at least, is that he's a clubhouse cancer. Keep in mind, though, that Bradley was a high-school teammate of Utley's and played for Manuel in Cleveland in 2001-02. If the Phils trust that Utley and Manuel can keep Bradley in check, it may be worth the risk.
BLAKEThe upside: For all the talk of Manny Ramirez at the trade deadline, the Phillies made an equally strong (if not stronger) push to get Blake. Instead, Cleveland dealt him to the Dodgers, for whom he had 10 homers and 23 RBIs in 58 games. Also a Type B free agent, he can play right field (Werth would move to left) and third base, giving the Phils additional versatility.
The downside: He's 35, and he hasn't played the outfield full-time since 2006 with the Indians. Then again, for two seasons, the Phils have been replacing Burrell late in games. If they don't trust Blake's defense, they'll still have Eric Bruntlett for the late innings.
Your thoughts?
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Much is being made of the fact that the Phils haven't opened negotiations with Burrell. Two things: 1. Burrell hasn't filed for free agency yet; 2. When he inevitably does, possibly as early as today, he's going to test the market. Yes, the Phillies enjoy a 15-day window from the end of the World Series to negotiate exclusively with Burrell. But, rest assured, very few free agents actually re-sign during that window. Players must wait at least six years to become free agents. Because he signed a lucrative contract extension in 2003, Burrell waited nine years. And for as much as he may want to stay with the Phillies, I'm sure he also wants to see what kind of offers he can get elsewhere. Can't blame him for that. So, even if the Phillies came to Burrell today with an offer, it's doubtful that he'd accept it.
4 comments:
Don't like either for the money. How about the Angels Juan Rivera as a RH platoonmate to Jenkins/Stairs?
Hey Scott, when I talked to Utley's high school coach in Long Beach on the story I did during the NLCS about Utley, the coach said Bradley was a really bad guy. He also said that Utley, who was a sophomore during Bradley's senior year, didn't like him or his attitude. Granted, that was a long time ago, but I'm sure if the Phillies ask Utley for a character assessment on Bradley, it won't be too favorable.
Martin: That's very interesting. At the All-Star Game in July, most people talked about how Bradley is misunderstood and is really a decent guy. I don't recall Utley saying anything bad about him, but, of course, I wouldn't have expected him to do so in that setting.
There's no denying, though, that Bradley's character is worthy of scrutiny, especially if there's a lot of money riding on a contract. And there's no question that his reputation will scare off many teams, including, perhaps, the Phillies. Having said that, he can hit, and if he gets in the right situation, there's a chance he could be a good pick-up for somebody. Of course, that's a very big "if."
Please NO headcases like Bradley or Ramirez! The Phillies won because they had great chemistry not just because of their talent. That's how they differed from the Mets and so many other teams. Blake seems okay (but blaah) or even Rocco Baldelli, who could be an ideal platoon since he is RH. Unfortunately he has that weird disorder that keeps him from playing too much. So he could either be a gamble or a steal. But he just seems like he has the right kind of hardworking attitude for Philly. Actually if Manny were cheaper I do like his personality (and talent of course). I think maybe he was only a headcase for Boston b/c he wasn't happy. But he's too pricey and wants too many years.
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