Pat Burrell has cleared waivers and is now a free agent, according to the Tampa Tribune (via Twitter). As Tony Fabrizio of The Tampa Tribune reported, the Rays designated Burrell for assignment on Saturday to free up a roster spot for Hank Blalock, who joined the team over the weekend.
Burrell can now sign with any team for a pro-rated portion of the major league minimum. In other words, it would cost teams just under $300K to sign him at this point. The Rays will be responsible for the remainder of his $9MM salary.
Burrell, 33, has been a major disappointment since signing a two year, $16MM contract prior to last season. Brought in to help balance out the lineup against lefties, Burrell has hit just .218/.311/.361 in 572 plate appearances since signing. He's been even worse than that against southpaws, if you can believe it.
What the hell happened to this guy? Wasn’t it just a few years back he was a perennial 40HR/100RBI guy? A league change and all the sudden he can’t hit his way out a paper bag?
I guess he was never a 40HR guy but 30+ a ton.
Did you ever watch him play? His numbers were better than his talent. Not that I thought he’d be this bad, but Philly was happy to upgrade with Ibanez, and the Rays blundered into this one.
Back to the NL? Can’t imagine the league change makes THAT much difference, but maybe in his case, it did.
No matter what, he’ll never pay for another beer in Philadelphia.
Oh. so THAT’s how the Mets blew it two straight years! Thanks for clearing that up.
get the hell outta here the phillies dont steal signs… all the other teams (such as the fourth place mets) just know they cant beat em
its good to know that whether ur winning in the world series or getting ur ishh kicked in..the mets are on ur mind either way.
u lost
Just admit it already.
i’m tired of hearing about the stealing signs thing the mets have bad pitching they why they get shelled as much as they do, pat was in a deep lineup and a hitter frendly ballpark with philly so thats why the numbers looked so good, once he clears wavers seems like a guy the giants may take a flyer on
LOL
Mets fans. Of course the Phillies steal signs. Who cares? As a Yankee fan I know I sure don’t, considering my team beat them anyway because the NYY don’t suck.
I’m guessing the team they are cheating against care. But not a shock a Skank fan is cool with cheating.
About time…
Wow, it sounds like Philly folks arguing with New Yorkers that Philly Cheesesteak is better than New York Style Pizza, haha. I quote an episode of Family Guy: “Ya stupid gavone!”, let’s talk some baseball here! I think Burrell will end in Seatle. He couldn’t be worse than the Sweeney/Griffey DH combo can he? I don’t think it would take too much to get him either. Maybe a mid-level pitcher?
I think they could probably get him for some low-minors pitcher.
Hope Burell goes to the Braves and then send Melky to the minors if he still has an option.
Burrell on the Braves in place of Melky is like being hit by a truck instead of being hit by a car. They both suck, but one sucks less than the other.
First of all, Cabrera is out of options, and despite his total inability to hit, he can still play all three outfield positions. Burrell can play…none of them. Dumpster diving isn’t becoming, and I say this as a Braves fan.
Padres?????
As much as he has sucked I would expect him back in the NL maybe with the marlins
Exactly where in the field are the Padres going to play him? This guy has defensive ability somewhere between a five year old girl and Ted Williams’ frozen head.
Not sure why everyone is talking about what it will cost to trade for him, I can’t imagine giving up a bag of balls for him. I’d say you were getting taken because the balls don’t take up a roster spot and can actually be used in BP. I don’t understand why anyone would go anywhere near this guy. He left CBP and has been exposed for what he really is. This isn’t Andruw Jones folks. He’s done. Anything you give up for him is a waste. Spoken as a hater and a realist.
Not sure why everyone is talking about what it will cost to trade for him, I can’t imagine giving up a bag of balls for him. I’d say you were getting taken because the balls don’t take up a roster spot and can actually be used in BP. I don’t understand why anyone would go anywhere near this guy. He left CBP and has been exposed for what he really is. This isn’t Andruw Jones folks. He’s done. Anything you give up for him is a waste. Spoken as a hater and a realist.
Burrell could easily replace Griffey Jr. in the M’s org (Although I expect fans to say “no thanks” as a reply to that comment.) The Pirates could also obtain him in the hope that he could “resurge” and serve as trade bait at the end of the year. The Yankees are hurting, so Swisher to the DL and Burrell to the plate. Any thoughts to Burrell on the land of misfit toys (aka the White Sox) and trade away one of their associates for some prospects? Maybe the A’s?
“Burrell, 33, has been a major disappointment since”…
… forever.
Maybe Burrell’s not taking the proper “supplements.”