Patrick Burrel Anyone?

[speedloader88]

With the signing of Raul Ibanez, Burrell has become a free-agent.  Would he draw any interest from the Pirates?  Pros-Cons?

[Scrap Iron]

Not sure of his health issues, shoulder I think. Salary may be too high and would he consider Pittsburgh?

[scrapiron]

Did the Phillies offer him arbitration and he turned it down, or was he just cut loose? If the bucs could sign a healthy Burrell without cost of draft choices, I'm all for it.  He would provide the right-handed bat needed.  He is a lot like Dunn.  Power and high OBP with low average.  hopefully he would cost less than 8 figures.

[Dogknot3]

I always looked at Pat the Bat as someone who hasn't lived up to his potential.  He puts up power numbers, but doesn't hit for average at all.  I never understood why he got more publicity than Jason Bay who has had better numbers.

I don't think Burrell is worth the $14 million he got last year.  I have no idea what he would sign for this off season.  Burrell will give you about 30 HRs and 90 RBIs, but at his age the Pirates shouldn't want him. 

[MarcB]

No way.. no more 1-2 year fixes with people who don't deserve the money they ask for.

[magnumo]

Pat Burrell?  No, thank you.  He does not fit the value profile the Pirates should be seeking.  It would make no sense for the Pirates to pay Burrell more than TWICE what they were paying Jason Bay, who is a better player in my opinion.

[Maz]

Could you see Pat Burrell playing LF at PNC Park??? Also the Pirates just lost GM as a sponsor. In this economy can you see them paying that kind of money for him?

[Thunder]

Just read an article at Baseball Prospectus about the worst fielding left fielders the last 3 years. The absolute worst was Burrell...the second worst...Raul Ibanez...the guy the Phillies signed to replace Burrell.

At $16M a year...he'd have to hit 45 or 50 HR to do the Bucs any good.

[parkerbatteryday]

He's also a world-class jerk who thinks WAYYYYY too much of himself. Some of the stories I've heard can't be repeated here, but they'd curl your hair if you had any.

[81omar]

   From someone who has watched a ton of Pat Burrell games I wouldn't pay 5 mil for him and he probably wants a minimum of twice that. He is a 7 inning player,I dont think anyone in baseball besides maybe Jason Giambi has been replaced as much for either baserunning or defensive purposes. He is extremely slow,almost painful to watch. He has no range in the outfield and isnt the best glove when he can get to balls but he does have a good arm. He is a horrible middle of the order batter in that he would rather take a ball on the outside corner and hope he gets the call as opposed to putting it in play the other way. He also goes into prolonged slumps every year

  He would be horrible in LF at PNC,he would be horrible as a big bat in your lineup. Too many strikeouts,no average and too many walks when its time for a big hit,he would rather clog up the bases then fail in the clutch. He has a swing for Citzens Bank as well,he would lose homers just to the bigger park. You really have to watch him play a lot to appreciate how little value he has and how well a small park and a powerful lineup helps him

[jestor92]

I wouldn't want him because I'd be afraid of him turning into Derek Bell v2.0.  You might be asking what, just look at the breakdown:

Pre All Star Break:  .275/.404/.575  23HR 57RBI
Post All Star Break:  .215/.313/.413  10HR 29RBI
Postseason:  .227/.346/.455   3HR 8RBI

I really think whomever signs Burrell is going to be sorry they signed him before him contract is over.

[Roberto218]

He was the worst defensive outfielder in the National League until Manny joined the Dodgers. Not the prototype for an undervalued player.