by Ken Rosenthal

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.

"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.