Comments on: Machine! Burrell’s Walk-Off Blast Beats Giants

By: Vernon Dozier

Vernon Dozier — Sun, 04 May 2008 14:45:22 +0000

If I were GM, I’d have already begun negotiations with Lidge & Burrell. However, the Phillies seem to have a policy of letting a player become a free agent and “test the free agent waters.” They could have had Wagner fairly cheap at the All-Star break of his walk year, and probably could have had Rowand back if they talked contract during the 2007 season. Once these guys hit free agency, they’re usually gone. I don’t expect Burrell or Lidge to be here in 2009.

By: Jay

Jay — Sun, 04 May 2008 12:53:46 +0000

Realistically, I don’t think he will get 20M next year, because he only has been doing this terror since the middle of last year. He is somewhat of a liability in the3 outfield as he looks like he is towing a bus behind him when he runs and he is getting up there in years. If he gets a contract similar to what he is making now for 3-4 more years he will jump all over that. Can the Phils afford to sign him at what he is making now. Maybe- Maybe-not. We will have to see.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:32:33 +0000

Will “the Bat” keep this up all season? Can’t wait to see what happens when we get Rollins back and when Howard gets hot!

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:48:59 +0000

I think if it came down to it, Pat would give us a hometown discount. Even though he’s gone through hell here, it seems like he genuinely enjoys playing here.

As for the contract demands, I think he’d want about 5 years, probably 65-70 mill would get it done.

By: Kwasi

Kwasi — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:38:06 +0000

Let’s say Pat keeps up this monster pace all year long. He is making 14M this year in a contract year. Would you sign here for less money just because you “love” playing here. Look at Rowand. He took his career year and turned it into 60M guaranteed. I highly doubt Pat will give the Phillies a “hometown” discount. Let’s just enjoy him while we still got him. The Sox will pay him 20M a year to take over for Manny next summer.

By: Brian Michael

Brian Michael — Sat, 03 May 2008 14:52:20 +0000

I used to keep a running tally of the Gameday Awards, but I stopped last year for some reason. I’ll start it up again. I think it’s safe to say Chase Utley is winning.

By: Greg

Greg — Sat, 03 May 2008 14:48:20 +0000

Let’s just focus on this year. The Holy Diver! Unbelievable. I was watching on MLBTV on my roommates computer and was so excited, I ran out back stubbed my toe on a brick and then fell over a lawn chair.

By: Tim Malcolm

Tim Malcolm — Sat, 03 May 2008 14:47:18 +0000

Brian does the Ashburn/Jeltz awards. He’s the one to ask about a tally â€” that’s a good idea, BTW.

By: Lewisauce

Lewisauce — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:58:07 +0000

Dan, my opinion, the numbers would drop off — to a degree. Even still, 3 years/$30 mil is not unreasonable. I don’t see him ever going back to his Mendoza-line years. I see Burrell as — as has been pointed out here before — a guy who plays closer to his potential (and his potential is 40 hr/120 rbi/.300 BA) over the next three years. Let’s say there’s a drop off, and he puts up more like 30/100/.270. That’s still pretty good production from left field, and $10 mil a year would seem to be to be on par with guys who can put up similar numbers. And let’s not forget his intangibles. His teammates believe in him and consider him a real winner and team player. If we lose him, we have two choices: 1.) an outfield of Jenkins-Victorino-Werth, or 2.) bring in an unknown quantity (basically, another Jenkins-type).

Jenkins-Victorino-Werth doesn’t really excite me. Vic is injury prone, and is never going to provide power from the outfield. Jenkins has been kind of a bust so far, and is certainly on the down-side of his career, and he certainly will NOT be worth keeping when his current contract is up. I believe in Werth, and I’d like to see him play more and Jenkins play less.

If we bring in some other veteran, whoever it is is going to cost Jenkins-type money at least, and they won’t be able to produce the way Burrell has since July. And frankly, it isn’t just the numbers with Burrell. He’s been getting a lot of clutch hits. That’s why he leads the NL in RBIs. He’s not collecting meaningless solo shots or two-out singles that leave him stranded in the second inning. He’s doing the job with RISP and in high-voltage (i.e. last night) situations.

Do we want to trust Jenkins or someone like him with that?

By: Gavin

Gavin — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:55:26 +0000

Players traditionally perform better in a walk year, but I think Pat has fixed some of the holes in his swing and is just playing better. I think its more coincidence than anything with him this time around.

When will Manuel split Howard and Utley up with Burrell?