Pat Burrell Has Cleared Waivers...

[Magnetic Curses]

 

I think you're missing what I'm trying to say.

 

It's not that I dislike Burrell completely or don't think he has value.

First of all I get so tired of the "driving in runs with the glove" remark or people saying defense isn't our problem. You're right it's not. But it changes what a player is worth.

We're going to be on a budget next year. I think we can get an .800 OPS out of what we have for next year. They won't be as good as Burrell offensively and I concede that. But I don't think the difference in OPS is enough to offset paying $10M and taking a major hit defensively. 50 points of OPS just isn't worth that much money in my opinion when it also comes with a downgrade in the field.

 

i wouldn't say that i'm missing it, bob.

 

guys who put up burrell's offensive numbers are expensive, and not easily produced by farm systems as prolific as the chicago cubs'. the lack of defensive prowess wouldn't outweigh his superior offensive skills, he's an outfielder, no one's asking him to make insane catches. besides, we've had some pretty bad fielders out there this year, including derosa, who looks like he's about to fall down at any and every second when playing out there. this hasn't really hurt us at all. defense is small part of the game, largely contingent upon pitching, not the other way around.

 

the new ownership will more than be able to afford burrell's contract, especially with pie, theriot, soto, marshall, and hill all seeing regular time next season, hopefully. personally, i'd rather have andruw jones, but burrell would be a significant upgrade over any OFer we've had in the past 3 years, regardless of where he's playing.

[jersey cubs fan]

.268/.409/.504 on the season with a 134 OPS+. .352/.459/.655 in the 2nd half.

 

He's hit his 23rd and 24th HR of the season today, so those numbers are just going up.

 

.272/.430/.553 against LHP. .279/.412/.542 for his career against LHP.

 

Since his rookie year, he's had one season with an OPB below .365. He routinely puts up a 115 OPS+ or better.

 

And Philadelphia cannot stand him. Sure, he's getting the applause today, but the hate for Pat is probably stronger than Yankee hate for ARod.

 

I predicted for a long time that at least one of Burrell and Abreu would be dealt. It would be really sweet if Philly came up short again and they decided to trade Pat to the Cubs this offseason. There's just one year left on his deal, at $14m, and he has a no trade. But I think he's exactly what the Cubs need in the OF, and I think a big strong patient slugger like him will actually hold up for several years, post 30.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Soriano

Theriot

Lee

Ramirez

Burrell

DeRosa

Pie/Soto

Soto/Pie

 

works for me. And really, there wouldn't be a lot else to do for the offseason, aside from dealing Eyre/Jones/Murton if you wanted to.

[Alfonso Soriano]

No way in hell does Hendry do this.

This would actually make our team better which Hendry despises.

[Guest]

No way in hell does Hendry do this.

This would actually make our team better which Hendry despises.

 

Because we're so much worse than last year...

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Pat the Bat!

[biittner77]

No way in hell does Philly does this now that they're only 2 games back.

 

fixed for purposes of removing unecessary hyperbole.

[marc_foust]

Im kind of curious but what do we have that would even begin trade talks with them or any other team. Cause if I was the Phillies(or any other team) my starting offer would include pieces and packages of this team that are considered fairly untouchable by cubs faithful (Pie, Soto, Gallagher, Murton, etc.). Realistically speaking, what are our trading chips? And what would you ask for a player of Burrell's caliber?

[jersey cubs fan]

Im kind of curious but what do we have that would even begin trade talks with them or any other team. Cause if I was the Phillies(or any other team) my starting offer would include pieces and packages of this team that are considered fairly untouchable by cubs faithful (Pie, Soto, Gallagher, Murton, etc.). Realistically speaking, what are our trading chips? And what would you ask for a player of Burrell's caliber?

 

It's hard to say, it's been reported that they were trying to give him away but couldn't, similar to when they just gave Abreu away. If they trade him it will be because they are trying to get rid of him. A lot may depend on how they finish 2007. If they come up short, and the fans get on Burrell for something, I could see them make a push to trade him for an arm, or two. They might take back somebody like Jones to offset salary (partially).

 

Gallagher isn't untouchable. I'd trade Murton in a deal for a true impact bat. The Cubs need a bat they can count on. Murton could probably be a good bat, but they don't see interested in playing him.

[marc_foust]

Im kind of curious but what do we have that would even begin trade talks with them or any other team. Cause if I was the Phillies(or any other team) my starting offer would include pieces and packages of this team that are considered fairly untouchable by cubs faithful (Pie, Soto, Gallagher, Murton, etc.). Realistically speaking, what are our trading chips? And what would you ask for a player of Burrell's caliber?

 

It's hard to say, it's been reported that they were trying to give him away but couldn't, similar to when they just gave Abreu away. If they trade him it will be because they are trying to get rid of him. A lot may depend on how they finish 2007. If they come up short, and the fans get on Burrell for something, I could see them make a push to trade him for an arm, or two. They might take back somebody like Jones to offset salary (partially).

 

Gallagher isn't untouchable. I'd trade Murton in a deal for a true impact bat. The Cubs need a bat they can count on. Murton could probably be a good bat, but they don't see interested in playing him.

 

I just find it hard to believe that no one would offer a package better than just giving him away for money, even if a marginal player is sent the other way. I understand that Phili may be tiring of Burrell but I see him as worth more than a deal to the Marlins where they pick up all of the salary. If I were them I would probably be asking for a package of Murton, Gallagher, and maybe Patterson(Prolly a little too high) and would not want to pick up more than 1/3 of the remaining salary. Patterson would be more of a starting point but I think you get the idea. Maybe something like Pie and another prospect with them picking a bit more of the cash would be somewhat of a realistic starting point for them as well.

[jersey cubs fan]

I just find it hard to believe that no one would offer a package better than just giving him away for money, even if a marginal player is sent the other way.

 

Well, if he passed waivers, than that means everybody had a chance to take him for nothing but didn't.

[Backtobanks]

I just find it hard to believe that no one would offer a package better than just giving him away for money, even if a marginal player is sent the other way.

 

Well, if he passed waivers, than that means everybody had a chance to take him for nothing but didn't.

 

That's not necessarily true, is it? If someone claimed him, the Phillies would then try to work out a deal with that team. Maybe nobody wanted Burrell at his salary and what he would cost in trade if they claimed him.