That Gaping Hole In Left Field...What To Do?

The Phillies have had the luxury of having a former #1 overall pick entrenched in Left-field for the past nine seasons. Now that #1 pick is a free agent and the Phillies Front Office, under the direction of newly appointed General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr., has its first critical decision to make for the offseason. Since becoming the Phillies starting leftfielder in early 2000, Pat Burrell (pictured right) has been a bulwark for this Phillies team. While he never lived up to the hype and early hopes of his breakout 2002 effort (.282, 37 HR, 116 RBI at age 25), he provided a solid right handed bat in the lineup dominanted by lefties like Utley, Thome, Howard, and Abreu. Burrell was always good for 25-30 HR, 90-100 RBI, a .250-260 AVG, a high OBP, and an OPS+ around 120 every season. He did have his issues: poor range in LF, a horrid 2003 season, a sometimes overly patient approach at the plate, and a poor reputation. These detractors ignored that Pat was always the first to the ballpark on gamedays, has a very accurate arm, and was one of the hardest workers on the team. He is also considered a leader in the clubhouse even if he's never been vocal to the media following the team.

Last month, the Phillies won the 2008 World Series and they did so despite Pat Burrell's 1-14 effort at the plate in five games. Pat did have a huge double in Game 5 that set up the winning run for that clinching game but other than that he was a non-factor in the World Series. Immediately after that World Series victory, the Phillies reportedly offered Pat a 2 year, $22 million deal to remain in Philadelphia for his age 32 and age 33 seasons. This offer was reportedly immediately turned down by the Burrell camp. It is unclear whether or not Pat will be brought back at this point. The Phillies have refused to grant long-term contracts to declining veterans in the past and it is unlikely that they will offer anything more than a 3 year deal. Burrell will likely be offered more years and more money from one of the many teams needing a solid right-handed power bat in their lineup. So this leaves the Phillies with a quandary: What to do with leftfield.

So here are some options for them:

1. Make a Trade - The Phillies have the prospects and players to make a trade of a good outfielder who is a right-handd bat. They have been rumored to be highly interested in LF Matt Holliday of the Colorado Rockies. The price will be very high as Holliday is coming off of a huge season but it will also be a 1 year rental for the Phillies as Holliday is a free agent after 2009 and is also a Scott Boras client. The Phillies won't be able to resign Holliday for anything approaching his true value and honestly Holliday is somewhat a creation of Coors Field anyway. Away from Coors, Holliday's numbers do not even compare to his MVP like numbers at home. The Rockies are said to be highly interested in CF Shane Victorino in a possible trade but it would be a huge mistake for the Phillies to trade their youngest position player who is also just coming into his prime. Vic has been a sparkplug since coming to the Phillies via the Rule V draft and is also one of the few affordable players on their roster. The Phillies could also offer a package of prospects but it would likely take touted prospects C Lou Marson, SP Carlos Carrasco, SS Jason Donald and someone else to make the Rockies say yes. Trading away that amount of talent from a generally thin minor-league system would be a big mistake. So a trade of that magnitude would be a mistake.

2. Sign A Top OF Free Agent - There are several very good OFs on the market but most have issues for one reason or another. LF Manny Ramirez would be great but he is looking for, and will get, far more money than the Phillies could and would ever pay a 36 year old with a bad repuation for hardwork. He's already said to have a 2 year, $50+ million deal on the table for the Dodgers. LF Adam Dunn is also available but he bats lefthanded and wouldn't be a good fit for the Phillies lineup. He would also likely be prohibitably expensive. We could also look at a guy like OF Milton Bradley. Bradley had a great 2008 season for the Rangers but he comes with a ton of baggage, both from numerous injuries and a very bad clubhouse reputation. He might also want a multi-year deal. With his injury history (never played more than 141 games), he is far too risky to sign long-term.

3. Sign a 2nd Tier Free Agent - The Phillies could also sign a platoon mate for OF Geoff Jenkins and/or UT Greg Dobbs to handle leftfield until a better option arises in a year. There are several veterans out there that hit lefties quite well and would be decent options. Jerry Hairston Jr is coming off an excellent season in Cincinatti during which he hit well over .300 in around 280 AB. A guy like OF Juan Rivera of the Angels could also be a good fit. He was an up and coming right handed bat until he shattered his leg during the 2007 season. Since then he has been relegated to the bench by free agent signings Gary Matthews Jr and Torii Hunter. Still, he might be something to consider.

4. Re-sign Pat Burrell...And Damn the Cost - The Phillies could bite the bullet and give Pat whatever he wants, be it $15 million per season or a 4 year deal. This, of course, would be a huge mistake as Pat is already a guy who gets replaced for defense in any close game. Pat is 32 and in the decline phase of his career. It would also handcuff a team that already has too much money committed in long-term deals. The Phillies need to find ways to lock up Ace Cole Hamels and slugger Ryan Howard before they blow money on Pat Burrell.

5. Do Nothing - The Phillies could, and probably will, do absolutely nothing. They could use a platoon of Matt Stairs and Geoff Jenkins in LF. They could hope that prospect Greg Golson figures out how to hit a curve ball. They could easily rest on their laurels as they are coming off their first World Series victory in 28 years. They could easily cite salary constraints due to huge raises through arbitration to most of their core players prevented them from resigning Pat or any other big name free agent.