BY SCOTT LAUBERAccording to well-sourced Ken Rosenthal over at FoxSports.com, Pat Burrell is on the verge of signing a two-year, $16 million contract to be the Tampa Bay Rays' designated hitter. That would represent a steep pay cut for Burrell, who made $14 million in 2008, is only 32 years old, and has averaged 31 homers and 93 RBIs over the past three seasons. Burrell also is a high on-base percentage guy (.386 over the past four years), a statistic that is appealing to young Rays GM Andrew Freidman, and as the Rays pointed out in their press release, he's one of only six players to hit 20 or more homers in each of the last eight seasons (Carlos Delgado, Vladmir Guerrero, Chipper Jones, Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez are the others).
If Burrell remains productive, he could be a nice bargain buy for Tampa Bay.
But, as we've discussed here before, the Phillies prefer Raul Ibanez's offensive consistency to Burrell's slumps and hot streaks and believe Ibanez will provide an upgrade, albeit slight, in left field. Burrell was a Type A free agent, but the Phillies won't get draft-pick compensation because they didn't offer him salary arbitration. Their fear was that Burrell would've accepted arbitration, effectively signing a one-year deal worth more than his 2008 salary. And his new contract proves that their fear was reasonable. Burrell almost certainly would've accepted arbitration, and the Phillies would've been on the hook for $16 or $17 million. Of course, they could've just tried to sign him to a relatively affordable two-year contract, something like the one he's about to get from the Rays.
OK, let the debate begin: Were the Phillies better off signing Ibanez to a three-year, $31 million deal, or should they have kept Burrell for two years and $16 million?
Discuss.
(Updated, 7:51 p.m.): Wanted to pass along a few notes from Burrell's conference call today. Asked about leaving the Phillies after nine years, Burrell said, "I feel very fortunate to be able to have played as long as I did in that town, and that was a great experience. But this game's a tricky deal -- you never know where you're going to end up."
Also, and I thought this was telling, Burrell was asked about the economically depressed market (well, for every team except the Yankees): "I don't think this is the offseason a lot of people expected," he said. "I feel very fortunate to have accepted the deal and be done with it, and now I can look forward to getting ready to play."
FYI: The Rays -- and Burrell -- will visit the Bank on April 3-4 for the annual on-deck series before Opening Day.
6 comments:
Yes, most definitely the Phils should have kept Burrell!!
There is NO WAY that Burrell would have taken this deal from the Phils. Apples and Oranges.
definitely should have kept Burrell even for $14 mil per season. He's a career Phillie and very similar to Ibanez. The fact he's righthanded is even an upgrade in our lineup. Ibanez will be good and Burrell will be a good fit back in South Florida where he got his start but for nostalgic reasons, Pat should have been offered a deal from Philly.
2008 Post All-Star Break:
Pat Burrell: .215 BA .726 OPS
Raul Ibanez: .321 BA .921 OPS
2008 LF Fielding Stats
Pat Burrell: 17.5 + runs allowed
Raul Ibanez: 11.0 + runs allowed
Pat's fielding was one of the worst in baseball playing in a bandbox, and Raul's was not great but will improve because he was playing in one of the largest LF's at Safeco Field.
What is interesting is Pat turned down a better offer from the Phillies reported 2 years and 22 Million.
Ironically I am sure the Phillies would have jumped at two years and 16 million, but I am sure noone would have wanted them to wait and come up empty handed.
In year three Ibanez may be terrible, but for the next two years and winning now, two million more for Ibanez is a bargain.
I am sad to see Burrell go because he had his moments for us. I dont like Ibanez either; there are other options out there. We need a right handed bat; we are so lefty dominate right now. Utley and Howard wont get the protection we need. We also a solid number two bat in the lineup. Say a Youkalis [we can wish and he can play third]. Anyways, Phillies had their moment!! To bad their GM has been groomed by Wade which means devastation in the end.
Why did we settle on Ibanez and not get Holliday? He has power, he is right handed, he is young. Oh, I know why...he is Boras client and heaven forbid we do business with them!! Like it was said before, Amaro is a Wade product as GM -- devastation is near!!
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