So the World Series is won and this town is starting to wind down. We have our new GM and the day of full access to free agents is less than a week away. I've talked in the past of the need to sign both Jamie Moyer and Scott Eyre. Well, we have Scott Eyre for another year at a reasonable 2 million a year. So we have one down and a few more to go.
I'm quite interested in the Pat Burrell saga. I know I've said in the past that it is probably best to let him go but I've determined if he'd take a "hometown" discount, perhaps the Phillies should keep him. My premise for this postion is simply that the number of decent right-handed power hitters available is slim at best. Milton Bradley is mentioned but he's not exactly an ideal clubhouse teammate by all accounts. Rocco Baldelli's name has been thrown in there as well but lets face it, he's not a full-time player considering his health issues. Lord knows Charlie has talked up Manny Ramirez and the good Lord knows he'd hit 60+ in CBP if given a full 81 games there but the reality is his asking price is just so insane. He might be worth a chance for an unguaranteed contract like in football (if those existed) but having him locked up for all those years is just not what this team needs. 2-3 years at 20 million a year might be worth a shot but we know that reality.
So where does this leave the Phillies? Perhaps with their best best: Pat Burrell. Like I said, if Pat is willing to stay for perhaps somewhere under 10 million a year for a 2 year contract with an option year, I think I'd have to sign him. Though his stay in Philly has been strained at times, I think he and the fans have come to an understanding. Follow that with his production, where else can we get a known bat at that price?
Some have indicated that Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox may work but he's got a contract worth 11.9 million in 2009 with an option at 12 million for 2010. So for that we'd have to give up some reasonably decent prospects? Why give up the prospects if Pat would take similar money? Therein is the rub, would Pat take that kind of pay cut to stay in the town he claims to love? Time will tell.
Thank you Oakland A's for finally killing the Matt Holliday drama. I for one wasn't keen on bringing Matt here due to his out of Colorado numbers. Considering the package the Phillies would have given up for that one-year rental, we're better off. Knowing Scott Boras will push him into free agency, this move certainly wasn't in the Phillies best interest and I'm glad they didn't pull the trigger.