January 6, 2009 Cincinnati Reds GM Walt Jocketty told MLB.com that Pat Burrell accepted "half of what he was looking for" when he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, according to Fox Sports.com.
Our View:The Phillies offered Burrell a two-year, $21 million deal at the midway point of the 2008 season. However, before the economic downturn tightened many teams' wallets, Burrell, a potential MVP candidate, was assured of making more than what Philadelphia had offered. As it turns out, Burrell signed with Tampa Bay for $5 million less to play a lesser role in the AL, presumably as a DH.
January 5, 2009 Updating an earlier report, ESPN.com has confirmed that the Tampa Bay Rays and free-agent outfielder Pat Burrell have agreed in principle to a two-year deal worth $16 million. Early projections have Burrell batting sixth, behind Carlos Pena, in the Rays' lineup as a designated hitter. Burrell's left field position is occupied by long-time Rays player Carl Crawford.
Our View:Burrell's deal is pending a physical. Burrell's signing means the Tampa Bay lineup will feature yet another presence in the middle, adding to the power supplied by Pena, B.J. Upton, and Evan Longoria
January 5, 2009 Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.com, citing major-league sources, reports that the Tampa Bay Rays are close to agreeing with free-agent outfielder Pat Burrell on a deal worth $16 million over two years.
Our View:Burrell clubbed 33 home runs a season ago for the world champion Phillies and will take his power bat to a club that could use another thumper in the middle of the order.
December 27, 2008 The Athletics and Rays are competing with each other to ink a handful of players including Pat Burrell, according to ESPN.
Our View:Both clubs are looking to add power to their lineups, but neither wants to go first since prices are higher now with both teams interested than they will be once the first team signs a player. Other players being targeted are Jason Giambi, Garret Anderson and Bobby Abreu.
December 23, 2008 Mariners' GM Jack Zduriencik covets some offensive muscle in left field, and Pat Burrell could be one of their options now that his price tag is falling, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Our View:Milton Bradley, Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. could also interest Seattle. The club may be able to add a DH if they do not ink a left fielder, or a first baseman with Russell Branyan moving to the DH spot.
