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Rays Play Own Type Of Power Ball

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By MARTIN FENNELLY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 6, 2009

A few months ago, he was at the head of the championship parade in Philadelphia. The city belonged to the Phillies and so did Pat Burrell. Now he joins the team he helped beat in the World Series.

"This game is a tricky deal," Burrell said Monday. "You never know where you're going to end up."

That said, what happened Monday - Burrell to the Rays for $16 million over two seasons - is good news for Burrell and a smart offseason answer by the Rays. And just in the nick of time. We heard the Yankees were going to buy the Phillies and fold their lineup into the Bronx.

The $180 million Mark Teixeira deal gets finalized today.

And the defending American League champions?

They just did what they needed to do.

They didn't set the Yankees world of their financial future on fire. Nor did they sit still. Instead, they grabbed a big, fat, powerful right-handed bat, mostly at designated hitter, probably behind Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria.

Burrell was high on the Rays' list.

Before the music stopped, they signed him.

Power Ball enough.

The only question now is what new nickname (he was "Pat the Bat" in Philly) he'll be instantly awarded by Rays manager Joe Maddon.

P.B.? Burly? Burrzy?

This move made sense. The Rays paid out, but nothing long term. Burrell was a relative bargain. Milton Bradley (to the Cubs) will get more per season, as will Raul Ibanez, who replaces Burrell in the Phillies outfield.

Burrell, 32, has his ups and downs, but he hit 33 home runs last season and in his past four seasons has averaged 31 homers, 99 RBIs and 103 walks. Who wouldn't take that? And there's his career on-base percentage of .367. He strikes out but also grinds lots of at-bats.

That Burrell already makes his offseason home in Clearwater will help his transition to the Rays, if not to DH, which isn't always easy. Burrell was a college star at Miami and the top pick in the 1998 draft. He was once the face of the Phillies. This game is a tricky deal.

But here he is, and here's why, in his mind.

"It had to do with the team here, how close they came last year ..." Burrell said. "I think this team is going to be competitive for a long time."

He added, "I think as an older player - not too old, a little older - I bring some experience. Like I said before, I'm here to help."

It's hard to argue that this move won't make this a better lineup in 2009, particularly against left-handers. What's really wrong with a 2-3-4-5-6 of C.C., B.J., Los, Longo and Pat Burrell. We mean Burrzy.

OK, the new nickname needs work.

Maybe Pat the Bat has an idea.

He's here to help.

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