GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Published: January 6, 2009
Burrell Brings Big Bat To Bolster Rays
By MARC LANCASTER
mlancaster@tampatrib.com
The Rays might have been able to string negotiations out another couple of weeks and still ended up signing Pat Burrell, perhaps saving a million dollars or two along the way. Even in a buyers' market, though, they didn't think it was worth the risk.
"As we were going through it," said Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman, "we felt like it was important for us to end up with one of our top guys and not end up in a situation where when the music stopped we were looking at the sixth or seventh guy on the list."
It's safe to say Burrell, the veteran slugger who had spent his entire career with the Phillies before becoming a free agent this offseason, rated much higher than that.
As a patient power hitter who swings from the right side, he fits the Rays' profile well. And in agreeing Monday to a two-year, $16 million deal, he also fit - just barely, from the sound of it - within a set of financial parameters that remain far more stringent than those of the Rays' division rivals.
As long as Tampa Bay maintains the competitive level it attained before falling to Burrell and the Phillies last fall, though, the 32-year-old Clearwater resident will be satisfied with his decision.
"I understand what these guys have gone through," Burrell said. "When I came up with Philadelphia, it was a similar situation, really. We were kind of at the bottom of the barrel and worked our way up to the top. I think that's kind of where these guys are headed. Obviously they got to the World Series last year, and from what I understand, the players got a taste of that and are even hungrier this year to get back."
Burrell should help. He'll step in as the primary designated hitter, with the Rays hopeful he can produce along the same lines as he did last season (33 homers, 86 RBIs).
With that key piece in place, the Rays likely will retire from the high-end free-agent market for the rest of the winter. Friedman described Burrell's deal as one that would "dramatically hinder" the team's payroll flexibility over the next couple of seasons, but team president Matt Silverman said it was worth it.
"I think our fans will recognize that even though the commitment to Pat is less than some of the other numbers that you've seen thrown around this offseason, it's a major commitment for our organization," Silverman said. "We only do so because we feel Pat is a great fit for the club. We appreciate and enjoy flexibility, but it's something that we're willing to give up with the right person and Pat's the right guy to add to the club."
Published: January 6, 2009
Burrell Brings Big Bat To Bolster Rays
By MARC LANCASTER
mlancaster@tampatrib.com
The Rays might have been able to string negotiations out another couple of weeks and still ended up signing Pat Burrell, perhaps saving a million dollars or two along the way. Even in a buyers' market, though, they didn't think it was worth the risk.
"As we were going through it," said Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman, "we felt like it was important for us to end up with one of our top guys and not end up in a situation where when the music stopped we were looking at the sixth or seventh guy on the list."
It's safe to say Burrell, the veteran slugger who had spent his entire career with the Phillies before becoming a free agent this offseason, rated much higher than that.
As a patient power hitter who swings from the right side, he fits the Rays' profile well. And in agreeing Monday to a two-year, $16 million deal, he also fit - just barely, from the sound of it - within a set of financial parameters that remain far more stringent than those of the Rays' division rivals.
As long as Tampa Bay maintains the competitive level it attained before falling to Burrell and the Phillies last fall, though, the 32-year-old Clearwater resident will be satisfied with his decision.
"I understand what these guys have gone through," Burrell said. "When I came up with Philadelphia, it was a similar situation, really. We were kind of at the bottom of the barrel and worked our way up to the top. I think that's kind of where these guys are headed. Obviously they got to the World Series last year, and from what I understand, the players got a taste of that and are even hungrier this year to get back."
Burrell should help. He'll step in as the primary designated hitter, with the Rays hopeful he can produce along the same lines as he did last season (33 homers, 86 RBIs).
With that key piece in place, the Rays likely will retire from the high-end free-agent market for the rest of the winter. Friedman described Burrell's deal as one that would "dramatically hinder" the team's payroll flexibility over the next couple of seasons, but team president Matt Silverman said it was worth it.
"I think our fans will recognize that even though the commitment to Pat is less than some of the other numbers that you've seen thrown around this offseason, it's a major commitment for our organization," Silverman said. "We only do so because we feel Pat is a great fit for the club. We appreciate and enjoy flexibility, but it's something that we're willing to give up with the right person and Pat's the right guy to add to the club."
