BY SCOTT LAUBERLAS VEGAS -- Good morning, all.
Promised y'all more about Pat Burrell's situation, and in today's News Journal, you got it. It's a strange world when there's less of a market for a 30-homer, 90-RBI slugger than for a middling middle infielder like Nick Punto (no offense, Nick), but that has been the case here thus far. Publicly, at least, the Burrell camp isn't panicking. Ed Hayes, one of Burrell's agents, told me yesterday that the market for the veteran left fielder will become clearer once Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira or even Raul Ibanez sign, but of course, there are no guarantees. If the crumbling national economy affects second- and third-tier free agents as much as we think, it's possible that Burrell will have to settle for a short-term, below-market-value contract.
Regardless, Hayes doesn't think the Phillies want Burrell back, and based on their lack of conversation with Burrell's people, it's hard to disagree. So, after nearly 10 years, the Burrell Era in Philly appears to be over.
If that's the case, when you look back on Burrell's career with the Phillies, what will you remember?
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Speaking of the economy, and I wish I had room for this in the paper, I asked Hayes if he thinks the sluggish market here at the winter meetings is due to the gloomy economic climate.
"Sure, the economy is playing a role because that's what the commissioner has dictated," Hayes said, alluding to Bud Selig's decision to have former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volker preach fiscal conservatism to the owners at their quarterly meetings last month. "Specific directives were given at the owners meetings, and they all should be in line with that."
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What's on tap for today?
Well, we're hoping to have lunch with Charlie Manuel, who was sick with the flu yesterday and unable to speak to the media after having his contract extended through 2011. Also, I'll continue to ask around about the complex multi-team trade that could send Jake Peavy to the Cubs, J.A. Happ to the Padres and Mark DeRosa to the Phillies. (Details of the trade are in the post below.)
UPDATE: Late last night, while trolling the Bellagio lobby, I heard that the Cubs also may be trying to unload pitcher Jason Marquis to clear salary space for Peavy. The Phillies could be the beneficiary of that move. The Orioles may also be involved, with pitching prospect Garrett Olson going to San Diego.
More in a bit.
2 comments:
Thanks Scott ,for the update on the Pat Burrell story! I think that the economic recession that we're in has played a role and many high-salaried star players will need to review and negotiate restructuring of their salary contracts downward. I also wonder if Pat Burrell did not tarnish his own value as a rising star with his reckless drinking and partying reputation as relayed to the Phillies by Dallas Green. Pat ought to look at the Mickey Mantle story as a cautionary tale since he shortened his career with excessive drinking binges too. Also, what is the news on Jamie Moyer? Any other team show interest?
What ill take from the Burrell era was his ability to withstand the scrutiny he was under by the Philly fans, including myself, whenever he slumped. His slumps were notorious, and us fans rode him pretty hard. But he never lost his cool, never really lashed out at or through the media, and generally just played through it - which in this city is hard to do.
Plus, although I doubt I could ever verify it, im sure he was one of the main reasons Bowa left, making room for Manuel and his hokie demeanor, which many attribute to the current teams success.
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