Burrell

[Andy_Dufresne]

I think the Orioles could spend that money better elsewhere.

That refrain is repeateded yearly in Baltimore, except they rarely spend the money better elsewhere. For example : Jamie Walker, Kevin Millar, Jay Payton, Ramon Hernandez, Javy Lopez, Sidney Ponson, Jay Gibbons.

[Flip217]

That refrain is repeateded yearly in Baltimore, except they rarely spend the money better elsewhere. For example : Jamie Walker, Kevin Millar, Jay Payton, Ramon Hernandez, Javy Lopez, Sidney Ponson, Jay Gibbons.

Doesn't mean it ain't true, Andy.

[O'sFanThruJune]

I just scanned the previous pages and didn't see this mentioned -

I was reading a post about this signing that mentioned all of the good things about it, which included the fact that it didn't cost any draft picks, because Philly didn't offer him arbitration. That floored me at first glance. The guy's last four OPS+ seasons are 128, 122, 127, 125. It seems crazy to let that production go without at least getting draft picks.

I did see that he made $14.25M in 2008, which probably means he'd get at least that much in arbitration, but if what people said previously in this thread about him turning down some big contracts from Philly is true, why wouldn't they just assume he'd turn down arbitration anyway? It just seems like having Burrell for one year at $15M or getting draft picks is a good thing either way, and I don't see why Philly didn't offer arbitration.

[Migrant Redbird]

I suspect the Phillies felt that $15M or whatever Burrell would have gotten in arbitration was more than an OPS+ average of 125 was worth risking. It's also possible the Phillies anticipated the depressed FA market -- the economic indicators were already there even before the sub-prime mortgage crisis.

[GeorgiaBird]

I suspect the Phillies felt that $15M or whatever Burrell would have gotten in arbitration was more than an OPS+ average of 125 was worth risking. It's also possible the Phillies anticipated the depressed FA market -- the economic indicators were already there even before the sub-prime mortgage crisis.

Not sure about that second part... jumping to sign Ibanez for 3 yrs/$31.5mm and surrendering picks to do it does not suggest a depressed market to me.

[KAZ97]

Criticizing the O's for not signing Burrell would be like criticizing the 2004 or 2005 Rays for not signing a league-average DH. Like, say, Aubrey Huff. Instead they shed Huff and continued about their business of acquiring young and/or cheap talent.

An interesting read from top to bottom about one of last years "right handed power bats".

Anyone think going back in time and signing Burrell would have solved anything for the 2010 Orioles?

Perspective:

After 2008: age 31, four straight years of >120 OPS+, seemingly the definition of a consistent right-handed power bat

Two year contract from Rays: 09:$7M, 10:$9M

2009 stats: .221/.315/.367 in 122 games

Seems to be a pretty good example of a "cheap" 2 year stop gap available on the free agent market each year - with the benefit of hind sight.

[Note: Nice post on this a year ago Drungo]

[Art Wing]

An interesting read from top to bottom about one of last years "right handed power bats".

Anyone think going back in time and signing Burrell would have solved anything for the 2010 Orioles?

Perspective:

After 2008: age 31, four straight years of >120 OPS+, seemingly the definition of a consistent right-handed power bat

Two year contract from Rays: 09:$7M, 10:$9M

2009 stats: .221/.315/.367 in 122 games

Seems to be a pretty good example of a "cheap" 2 year stop gap available on the free agent market each year - with the benefit of hind sight.

[Note: Nice post on this a year ago Drungo]

"Cheap" as in falling off a cliff? Yes, nice call by Drungo as usual.

[Icterus galbula]

Great thread bump