Burrell's future as Phillie uncertain

The Phillies' 2008 payroll exceeded $100 million and given the season of Ryan Howard (probable National League Most Valuable Player Award winner) and Cole Hamels (League Championship Series MVP) it will only go higher once the organization decides who will succeed Pat Gillick as general manager.

That reality could be bad news if you're a Pat Burrell fan as he signed a six-year $50 million contract extension before the 2003 season and is facing free agency.

A nine-year Phillie, who has played over 1,300 games in left field, Burrell is at that strange crossroads that accompanies 30-something-year-old outfielders (he turned 32 on Oct. 10). His 33 homers in the regular season were his highest total since 2002, but there are other indications that he may have played his best baseball already.

Consider that ...
1. He scored 74 runs, his lowest total since 2004.

2. His 86 RBIs were also his lowest since 2004.

3. He fanned 136 times, his highest total since 2005.

4. On the positive side, his doubles (33) were his highest total in six years, but his on-base percentage (.367) was his lowest mark, again, in four years.

5. His .250 batting average is his lowest in five years.

The problem with all these numbers is that while he remains an acceptable offensive option and is a fair enough hitter behind Howard, the pricetag may not equate with the production.

In 2008, Burrell made $14.25 million. Howard will soon be making that type of money, if not more, but one cannot equate a player who has averaged 143 RBIs over the last three seasons with Burrell's numbers. Burrell has not driven in 100 runs since 2005, never homered more than 37 times (in a hitter-friendly park) and never scored more than 80 runs over the last six seasons.

Defensively, he is open to interpretation. In 2008, he made only two errors and had 12 assists (nice numbers). But he is perceived as having limited range and being helped by the presence of outstanding center fielders (Aaron Rowand in 2006-07 and Shane Victorino this year).

It's a strange time to part ways with Burrell, who in this postseason has given Phils fans glimpses of the player who had 116 RBIs in 2002, 117 in 2005 and carried the Phils for much of the second half of 2007. There was the two-homer game in Milwaukee in the League Division Series and the game-winning homer in Game 1 of the LCS. But on a team that must commit to its young stars, the team may be able to find cheaper, younger alternatives.

Are the World Series games the final ones for Pat the Bat in Philly?

An uncertain offseason awaits.

(nj.com)