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Rays, Burrell agree to two-year, $16M deal
Burrell, 32, will serve as the team's designated hitter. The Rays, nearing their payroll limit, could use some combination of Ben Zobrist, Gabe Gross and Fernando Perez in right field.
The Rays had considered a number of free agents, including Milton Bradley and Jason Giambi, to fill either their DH or right-field vacancies.
Bradley has agreed to a deal three-year, $30 million with the Cubs, major league sources said. That's more money than the Rays were willing to pay. Giambi could end up back with the A's.
Adam Dunn, Bobby Abreu and Ken Griffey Jr. are among the other hitters remaining on the open market.
"He solidifies the middle of our already potent lineup," vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said.
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While the Yankees made big free-agent news and the Red Sox made improvements, Scout.com's Tyler Hissey says the Rays' signing of Pat Burrell means they'll be better in 2009, too. Stay with the Scout network for the latest news and inside info.
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"We weren't just singularly focused on a right-handed hitter, but it certainly is an advantage for us in terms of the way our lineup stacks up currently. We feel like any time you can add a hitter like Pat to the middle of the lineup, we're a much-improved team today than we were at the end of last season."
Burrell spent his first nine seasons with the Phillies. A .257 lifetime hitter, he has averaged 31 homers and 99 RBIs over the past four seasons.
He batted .250 with 33 homers and 86 RBIs last season, and helped the Phillies defeat the Rays in the World Series.
"I think this team is going to competitive for a long time. ... As a little bit older player ... I'm here to help," Burrell told the AP. "Anything and everything I can to help this team win, I'll do."
The Associated Press has contributed to this article.
Member Comments
Pat Burrell was the class of the Phillies organization. I think they should have kept him. I know I will surely miss him, he was a gentlemen and a great everyday player.<br /><br />Good Luck Pat!
Giovanni211/6/2009 17:56:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I'm just glad we got a parade in with you Pat before you left us. Best of luck to you. You'll always be family to us in Philadelphia.<br /><br />Hey,cool guys~~~~~~~Am rosa, i am just in the beginning of my career and want to find a good man. so i uploaded my hot and even nude photos on ~~~~" B l a c k W h i t e K i s s . c o m "~~~~ under the name " ro sa sw eet 53 ", maybe you want to check out my photos firstly!!!!!!!
SkiTTlezrt71/6/2009 12:15:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey HurricaneJimi: You got a nickel? How did you have so much? Aren't you in a small market?
SoxSucks1/6/2009 11:28:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
oh my friggin' god. The Rays signed a free agent. Now THEY're ruining the game! Aren't the small market teams supposed to just roll over and cut payroll, not add! Come on, where are all you idiot bashers now???????Oh, forgot, it's not a Yankee signing. My bad!
SoxSucks1/6/2009 11:25:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Maybe we'll see Pat the Bat in the WS next year for the Rays. I just hope the Phils can get there without him in the lineup. Ibanez better be REALLY good.
ntech1/6/2009 9:01:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
The most underappreciated ever to play in Philadelphia ! He never mouthed off or complained. He just did his job.<br />He was never blessed with speed and maybe this was something his detractors held against him.<br />But look at his accomplishments....he did a good job and was a formidable clutch hitter. The Phillies success in the last few years are laden with many of Pat Burrell's dramatic hits.<br />We wish him well and thank him for his service to the Phillies.
ndforever1/6/2009 8:59:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
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just_for_u1/6/2009 8:29:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
The New BEAST of the East...news flash. it is not the grotesquely free-spending yankees or red sox.<br /><br />All we need is a closer, by committee is not the answer.<br /><br />Speed and power and great starting pitching is a nice trifecta...Go Rays<br /><br />My nickle bet says either the yanks or sox sign Manny.<br /><br />Welcome Pat Burrell, watch your Phillies in person win it all.<br /><br />Philly fans are truly great, and they showed it. Not snobs and wieners like sox and yanks.
HurricaneJimi1/6/2009 8:24:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
CrazyBravesGirl, Pat's defensive liability is his limited range. He has very little foot speed. Personally, I do like him as a player, I think the Phillies will miss him. This is a good pick-up for the Rays. His stats show that despite a low batting average, he's a good RBI man.
PlutoIsAPlanet1/6/2009 7:53:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Antsal makes a good point. That dude always wore out the Mets. So I'm smilin'!
SCazzz1/6/2009 7:01:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
"out of the game" was blocked out for apparently being offensive??????
500Homeruns1/6/2009 6:35:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
CrazyBravesGirl,<br />You asked for someone to explain how Pat is defensive liability. Just look at how many times this past year he has been taken out of a game for a defensive substitute. He does have a pretty good arm, but he is not what you could consider a good outfielder. He never played outfield until he after he was drafted. He was a 3rd basemen.
500Homeruns1/6/2009 6:33:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Me from Phiadelphia is goin to messs pat that bat but he had to get takin out 100 games this year you can not pay someone 8 mill for sitting on the bench when you need him to run the bases and play in the outfield
ballinkid1151/6/2009 6:28:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
The Phillies made a big mistake letting Pat go.<br /><br />He is an average hitter but he has great power. He's great in the clubhouse and the rap against him defensively is way overblown.<br /><br />Although he is not real fast, he has sure hands and a great arm. He's thrown out many runners at second or at home plate.<br /><br />I have been a fan for over 40 years and the Phillies made a big mistake.<br /><br />Good luck Pat. We'll surely miss you in many ways.
elner1/6/2009 6:18:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
As a lifelong World Champion Phillies fan, I wish Pat-the-Bat the best! I hope you end up your career with wonderful D.H. numbers! You will be missed in Philly! Was so glad to see you and Elvis heading up the glorious parade on Halloween. Plus, you're hot! P.S. I was in Riveria Maya the same week you got married down there and Chase and Aaron were in our pool bar. How cool is that?
HCJrFAN1/6/2009 5:07:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
The Rays made a good signing. Pat will give them 30+ homers and around 100 RBIs. The best thing is he won't have to play the field. When he's hot - he can carry a team.
SnagL1/6/2009 4:55:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I've been a Phillies fan for all my life and Pat Burrell was one of the most mediocre players next to Bobby Abreu. He's either hot or cold and mostly cold. They always had to take him out towards the end of the game due to his fielding ability. Good Riddens!!!!!
mtg1001/6/2009 3:23:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I'm just glad we got a parade in with you Pat before you left us. Best of luck to you. You'll always be family to us in Philadelphia.
Mcnabbulous1/6/2009 2:55:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Oh, and one more thing...after reading some of these comments....would someone explain to me how PB was/is a defensive liability?? <br /><br />No way, check his stats. Wish the Braves could have picked him up.
CrazyBravesGirl1/6/2009 1:41:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
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