If we think Werth can step up and hit behind Howard, Hermida would be a GREAT get. Cheap, with a ton of promise. He’s getting better, one of the brighter stars in a packed house of Marlin prospects. Very nice splits away from that hitter’s graveyard he plays in. Up for arbitration, so maybe the Marlins get rid of him so they don’t have to pay him.

If you pay Burrell $15 million, you hope that it’s not going to upset other guys on this team… frankly, I don’t know if he’s worth it and I don’t think that the “bean counters” are willing to pay $15 million for a player as streaky as Burrell has proven to be but unfortunately there aren’t many options in this free agent market.

2009: $7.5MM
2010: $8.25MM
2011: $12.75MM
2012: $12.75MM
2013: $15.5MM option

And as another poster here (Don) mentioned, the Phillies do have other contract considerations in the near future with Hamels, Myers, Blanton, Moyer, Howard, etc. Of course, I want Burrell signed too. BTW, Don, Do you really believe Burrell is getting old at age 32?? And at age 35, really “slow and crappy”? (laughter). If you look at his stats for fielding this past season, Burrell actually is getting BETTER with age. In 155 games (in LF), just TWO errors to go with his 202 putouts and 12 assists. Sure, he doesn’t have much range but he makes few mistakes. However, let’s be clear about one thing, it’s Pat “The Bat” offense that keeps him in the lineup. It would be very hard to replace a player who has averaged 31 HRs, 99 RBIs and 100 plus walks for the last 4 years. The fair market value for him WILL probably be around $14-15 million. Is he worth it? I say so. The question is do the bean counters representing the owners think so?

If you want to keep Hamels, Victorino, …(Myers, Howard, etc..) these guys are all going to cost much more than their $400,000 contracts.. Myers and Howard will make more than $10 M per season too… if they only have $x to spend on payroll, we can’t have them waste 15% of that on Pat Burrell (why they only have that set amount to spend, we’ll never know.. but it is what it is)

yes, he is a lefty, which we do not prefer.

and finally, the marlins never give anybody away cheaply. it will definately cost us. so i say pass. ibanez might be worth looking into. lets see how it plays out.

Phils are talking possible trade. Who would be offered i dont know

Another thing nobody realizes is that we probably have the perfect 5 hitter batting leadoff in this order. Well he may not be the perfect 5 hole hitter, but he sure has the “Babe Ruth” mindset.

Although I hate batting Utley 2nd, because he is such a good hitter, and the 2 hole should be a guy who sacrifices runners and hits the ball the other way, here is what my order would be like with Bradley.
Victorino
Utley
Bradley
Howard
Rollins
Werth
Feliz
Ruiz
Hamels

I could live with:
Rollins
Victorino
Utley
Howard
Bradley
Werth
Feliz
Ruiz
Hamels

People come on here and they don’t want to add a lefty to the lineup. I don’t see how you can’t. Unless you are willing to drop Rollins down to the 5,6 hole, there is 4 right-handed hitters at the bottom on the lineup. Werth is not consistent enough to bat in the 2 hole, and Victorino doesn’t have enough pop to consistently bat behind Howard.

I like Ibanez, and Bradley, and to a lesser extent Hermida, and I think all 3 of those guys could help us return to championship form.

Here is the lineup I would use if were were able to get Hermida:
Rollins
Victorino
Utley
Howard
Werth
Hermida
Feliz
Ruiz
Hamels