Phillies Nation

47 Responses to “Odds And Ends: Burrell, Ramirez, Moyer, Eyre, Japan”

1. Karch Says:
   November 3rd, 2008 at 5:43 pm

   Hey folks -

   What about Raul Ibanez if Burrell leaves? Similar production and an average more consistently closer to .300.

2. Jim Says:
   November 3rd, 2008 at 5:47 pm

   Tim you have to set your Phillies Nation clock back an hour. It says this post you made was up at 5:32 PM but I’m writing this and it’s not even 5 yet.

3. Real Mets Fan Says:
   November 3rd, 2008 at 5:47 pm

   Oh. that potty mouth on Chase Utley. Shame on him.

4. Amanda Says:
   November 3rd, 2008 at 5:58 pm

   “Left fielder Pat Burrell could be back if he accepts a two-year deal. Otherwise, the Phils will kick the tires on Manny Ramirez, Matt Holliday, and Magglio Ordonez. Jim Salisbury also notes that the Phillies have long liked Rocco Baldelli. They’ve also been linked to Garrett Atkins. ”

   -MLBTR

5. Amanda Says:
   November 3rd, 2008 at 5:58 pm

   Oh.. and almost forgot..

   “The Phillies (along with the Tigers and Nationals) have interest in free agent utility man Pete Orr.”

6. dan Says:
   November 3rd, 2008 at 5:59 pm

   yeah shame on him. He’s only arguably the best player on the world champs.

   Tim, just how significant is burell switching agents?

7. tom Says:
   November 3rd, 2008 at 6:05 pm

   Ibanez is not a viable option only because he is a left handed hitter then you have 3 left handed bats in the middle togther and thats susicde. I also would like to see if pat can not comeback we can look at xadier nady.

8. SJ Mike Says:
   November 3rd, 2008 at 6:09 pm

   If Pat doesn’t come back, I think they’d stick to a replacement that is in his 20s still. I don’t see the need to go after some high priced big name free agent with the “must win now” mentality considering we just won the World Series.

   You can use this time to groom younger players again.

9. Mike Says:
   November 3rd, 2008 at 6:18 pm

   Ibanez is being targeted by the Mets, in a classic Minaya move.

   An aging Latino coming off his worst slump ever?

   Go for it!

10. Chuck Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 6:32 pm

    absolutely SJ…..no way we should give up the farm on some “proven” replacement for Pat. And I know I’ve taken some heat for this……but I really see Jenkins improving in 09 (and not just because of the WS double). However, he is a lefty and with all the lefties in the lineup we do need a RH hitter to balance the lineup. I just see Jenkins possibly getting more playing time, which even moreso would mean that the need for a high-priced replacement for Pat makes no sense. Someone in his 20’s that can be a platoon player with Jenkins. Maybe move Werth to left in that scenario.

11. SJ Mike Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 6:38 pm

    Jenkins was a proven player for many years before he got to us. And you know what, he has had big hits in big spots at random times throughout the season, including Game 5 of the World Series.

    He’s a solid player. But I understand the need for another right handed bat, also.

    If it isn’t Pat Burrell starting in left, I don’t want to see some past their prime free agent stuck in there. I don’t want to see a Manny Ramirez in there.

12. SJ Mike Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 6:40 pm

    Leave the high profile 30-something signings for Omar Minaya. We don’t need them

    We won the World Series. I just want the team to still compete next year, but honestly not expecting or looking for a repeating title. I’m happy with keeping just the division.

13. mikemike Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 7:04 pm

    Can’t believe you said you would be happy with division. Why not try to repeat to be the best. To give us another title would be awesome. The owners love that type of talk.

14. Jamie Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 7:17 pm

    Pete Orr? Yuck. Baldelli? The guy can’t play a full season and is a medical mystery. No thanks. Ordonez? Nope. Manny? Already given a “no go” by Amaro. Ibanez? 4 years older than Burrell, with a higher average and less power. His RBI’s were up, but he was hitting out of the #3 spot (and sometimes cleanup) in Seattle, and let’s face it…who else was going to drive Mariners in? Plus, like someone mentioned before, he’s another lefty and they want a power hitting righty. Casey Blake would be an outside option…he has a little power (about 10 HR’s per season less than Burrell), and his average is the same as Pat’s. He drives in close to what Pat does, but he’s no spring chicken either – he’s 3 years older than Burrell. I’d be willing to bet 80/20 that Pat stays.

15. PhanaticFan Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    Isn’t 22m/2 years less than what they were paying Burrell before? Wasn’t he under a 13m/year contract before or something like that? I’m probably wrong. I don’t know what they have for money to throw around, but hopefully they have enough to give raises where raises are due. Which in this case is in a lot of places.

16. tlizardradio Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    I loved burrel since ‘07, but it seems like now all hits are going come in spurts. The phillies shoul take a good look in the Matt Holliday corner,if we get him our 3,4,&5 lineup would destroy teams He’s a perfect hardnose kinda player that phillies fan will love not saying he will be loved as much as Pat, but he’s got power.

17. Karch Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    I think they’re looking at Orr as a spare part more than anything else. A bit player like Bruntlett, Taguchi… bench strength. I wouldn’t get too bent out of shape about them signing a guy who hit .292 as a pinch hitter last year and giving him a chance to make the team in spring training.

    The more I look at the list of free agents, the more likely I’m thinking it is that they sign Burrell. He does seem genuine in his desire to come back. And why wouldn’t he? The grass has proven time and time again to NOT be greener on the other side. At first I thought maybe they could look into Abreu again, but it was his departure that really sparked this team and I’d hate to see him come back and have them regress. Call me superstitious.

    I think this is going to be an off-season of minor tinkering versus big splash signings. No Sabathia’s, no Peavy trade… Just taking care of our own (Hamels, Howard, Burrell) and replacing a few replaceables (Taguchi, Gordon, etc.). From a rotation perspective, while I think they may look at a guy like Lowe or maybe Randy Wolf, I think they also may just go with Hamels – Myers – Moyer – Blanton – Happ. That’s not a rotation I would be upset about.

18. SJ Mike Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 7:53 pm

    Mikemike, I’ve waited my whole life and finally got to see a World Series.

    It would be awesome to repeat, but I will not be heartbroken, nor would I be upset if we don’t repeat.

    I’m not going to be greedy and I certainly don’t want to become one of those fanbases like New York and Boston where they’re never satisfied.

19. Tim Malcolm Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 7:57 pm

    I wrote if there is anything to take to Burrell switching agents, it’s good, because it’s a Philly guy. Why would he switch to a Philly guy now? It’s up to the Phils to match Burrell. We’ll see.

20. Jamie Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    Karch, I agree that we don’t need big splash signings. Pete Orr is nothing but a pinch hitter or someone to spell Rollins or Utley if they need a day off. We already have that in Bruntlett, though, so I’d rather see them get someone else for that extra seat on the bench.

    As far as a rotation goes, I’d much rather have Lowe over Wolf. Randy wore out his welcome the first go-around, turned his back on Philly TWICE since, and he’s not the same anymore. As far as I am concerned, Happ is a better option (or even Kendrick) than Wolf is at this point in their careers.

    tlizard, it’s nice you’ve like Burrell since 2007. The rest of us have been a fan of his for much longer. You apparently failed to see his other productive seasons pre-2007, though. And yes, I’d rather have Holliday too, but not at the price the Rockies would want to trade him. As I said at the trade deadline this year, sometimes the best deals are the ones you don’t make. No sense in giving up the farm for one player. Especially when those people on the farm will be relied upon in a few years at the major league level.

21. Jamie Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 8:03 pm

    Tim, I agree. It’s certainly a good sign that Pat has changed agents. I’d look for something to get done this next week, if it is going to happen. I don’t think Amaro wants to drag Burrell, Moyer, or Eyre out real long. Lock them up now if you plan on doing so — no sense to let teams start salary fighting.

22. Manny Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 8:06 pm

    I’m just hoping that if Burrell leaves, we don’t lose our farm to bring in a proven, veteran baseball player. Just offer Burrell one more year and see what happens… I prefer overpaying Burrell for an extra year(s) than giving up our farm system…

    Pat must stay.

23. mikemike Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    They most likely think in two years,either Golson or Taylor will be ready, and don’t want to have a non player at 12or 13 million on team. Burrell defense and streak hitting concern me.

24. Jamie Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    Manny, I also would rather “overpay” a known commodity than risk the farm for someone who is either “unproven” or a lesser-known commodity. Not that Holliday is unproven or unknown, but I’m talking about others.

25. PhillyGirlinMichigan Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    I like Burrell…but he has a lot of limitations – especially for the price. When Bruntlett replaces you that often..that’s saying something. I just hope they shop around a bit b4 throwing tons of $ at him to stay.

    Living in the Detroit area the past few years, I’ve really gotten to like Maggs. He’s fun to watch and seems to add some spark to the team. If he doesn’t stay in Motown, it would be the next best thing to see him in Red….

    Good move on Eyre. Seems like a good guy that just ran into some bad luck earlier this year w/the Cubs.

26. Jamie Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 8:23 pm

    Mikemike, Pat doesn’t have the range of Werth or Vic mind you, but that was never a concern until the past few years. He’s always been slow, but nobody ever cared until recently. Also, he’s never been a liability in the outfield, although it was not his natural position. He’s only been playing it since 2001, and he is always among the leaders in fielding percentage and outfield assists. Honestly, I don’t think he’s as bad as many people make him out to be.

    I do realize that in two years, the Phils hope Golson or Taylor (or Berry for that matter) will be ready. Think about that, though…we may not have Werth anymore. I think the Phils lock Victorino up sometime in the next couple of years, but Werth may be used as trade bait at some point in time…you never know.

27. Jamie Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 8:24 pm

    Bruntlett replaces Pat simply because he’s faster. That’s it. And prior to this year, it didn’t happen. Pat would occasionally be replaced, but not at the frequency of this year.

28. mikemike Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 8:51 pm

    The more I think about it give Pat the third year , I believe that howard will be moved in 2010 and pat can go to first and hopefully Taylor to left. Unless Amaro really thinks he can sign Howard. Pat can fill in there for a year or so.

29. SJ Mike Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    Correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t teams have an exclusive window for negotiations before the free agent market opens so many days after the World Series conclusion?

30. mikemike Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 9:03 pm

    I think its two week before you can start talking to them. That is the window for former teams to negoitiate.

31. SJ Mike Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    That’s what I meant. If we have so many weeks to negotiate with Pat before he can test the open market.

32. Jamie Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 9:21 pm

    Thursday was the first day that players could file for free agency. It’s a 15 day period, and during that time, they can only negotiate money with their former clubs. They are free to negotiate with other teams during this time on anything other than money (I know, it’s stupid), so the belief that only the former team can negotiate is incorrect. We all know they talk $$ in codes with prospective teams…

33. Joe Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 9:44 pm

    phillyfixmycar.blogspot.com

    Very classy Philly. Nothing less than expected, as usual

34. SJ Mike Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 9:47 pm

    Let me guess, Joe. You come from Metsblog?

35. Joe Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 9:52 pm

    Haha. Jersey Mike. How’s Jersey? What exit you at? Wow- a Philly fan from Jersey. Must be a tough life. Living in a smelly ass state that is always the butt of jokes. No wonder you and your drunk classless friends have so much anger. Say hi to Rocco and don’t forget your glow sticks at the next wife beater party.

36. SJ Mike Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 9:55 pm

    Joe, you’ve clearly never been to New Jersey.

37. Jamie Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 10:00 pm

    Joe = classy Mets fan. Nothing but the best. He could take a few lessons from RivLez, & Grumpy Miner to name a few.

38. Matt Kwasiborski Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 10:00 pm

    I think the Phils should kick the tires on CC. I mean the Phils have blossomed into the HS QB and now has a shot at the blonde, buxom captian of the cheerleader squad. Sure, 3 years ago they were the pimpled face geek who could only get the “healthier” girls sitting in the back of the room.

    But this team has blossomed to BMOC and that is only guaranteed until April, so why not take the shot and see if CC would be interested and what it would take. He isn’t ego driven to having to be the #1 guy if it means he has a legit shot at winning.

    You will have some FAs who just want the money over winning. Sorry, Rowand fans and I am one of them, but that is exactly what he did. I do think CC might be a little different though. If he is dead set on playing on the Left Coast, then that is his choice. However, we can offer a competive deal for him called the Philly Max.

39. SJ Mike Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 10:19 pm

    It burns me that the few miles of the NJ Turnpike from Newark Airport to New York is what everyone thinks New Jersey is like, which is near 90 miles away from where I am.

40. Tom G Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 10:58 pm

    We could use a pitcher designed for our field…Derek Lowe is a FA…expensive, but he would really make our unit a stregnht beyond Cole.

41. Sam Says:
    November 4th, 2008 at 12:48 am

    Most of the exciting additions I want are from the farm system…Happ in the rotation, donald at third and marson at catcher.

42. Phil Says:
    November 4th, 2008 at 12:59 am

    I agree…I’d love to see the Phillies go hard after Derek Lowe. He would be a great fit in our rotation especially in our ballpark.

43. Memphis Says:
    November 4th, 2008 at 1:54 am

    Bringing back Burrell and Moyer is just plain risky (and I’m being polite). I think one of our worst options is to have Pat in LF and Moyer at #3. Burrell turned down 22M over 2 years and we’re going to up it? Can’t see how that’s a good thing. Pat’s a nice guy, but he’s not worth it. Streaky, slow, an adventure in the outfield, and on the wrong side of 30. Would much rather get after Holliday, one of the Top 10 players in the league. When you have the core of your team in or entering their prime, you go for it. Let’s not get all warm and fuzzy on Pat now. Only other option is to tread water until Golson is ready — and hopefully sign a 1A or strong #2 starter. Moyer had a magic year, but the sands are running out of the hourglass. Let’s stay hungry.

44. NateB Says:
    November 4th, 2008 at 2:34 am

    getting holliday would be amazing, but would cost us a lot of talent. i’m fine with any decent right-handed bat except for milton bradley… he’s a piece of work.

    also a comment for Joe- i don’t live in new jersey (i’m in beautiful northern california), but i have to say that NJ is one of the prettiest states in the nation (except for the newark area). you’ve obviously never visited the nice parts of the garden state.

45. MikeB Says:
    November 4th, 2008 at 5:46 am

    I think that the Phillies should pursue Holliday or at least find out right now how bad the cost would be for them. This guy is one of the top players in baseball and would add power to the lineup to help the Phillies match-up with the Mets and Marlins next year who they had losing records against this past season.

46. mikemike Says:
    November 4th, 2008 at 7:22 am

    I think holiday would want 18-20 million to sign. The phillies won’t give it to Howard a monster power hitter, So do you give up Marson and Carrasco for a one year player. Colorado Knows that they will get two high draft choices if they don’t trade him. So whoever wants him will have to pay for that one year. The Yankees, Red Sox Cub can give up the prospect plus will pay him the dollars he wants, so will the Mets. We are a small market team, and were thirteen in salary this year next year will be lower, just watch.

47. Memphis Says:
    November 4th, 2008 at 11:30 am

    Guys like Howard, large guys with long swings tend to peak early. Plus, while he feasts on bad pitching, his weaknesses are exposed against good pitching. So there are good reasons not to give Howard massive dollars. Holliday would be a better investment at that level — IF the Phils have the guts and IF the price (in terms of prospects) isn’t too high. We’re already talking 10-13M for Burrell — Burrell! — with that as precedent, what will Howard ask for, 25M? Holliday will seem like a bargain, salary-wise, but the Rockies will ask for the moon. Phils supposedly have a thin system as it is, so maybe Holliday isn’t gettable right now, but either way Phils better get used to the idea of paying 15-20M/year for players, real soon.

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