Will Burrell be back in '09?

With Pat Burrell's recent slump, can we assume he won't be back next year? I'm not a fair-weather fan, my patience ran out with him two years ago. I was never sold on his first half not being a contract year resurgence.
-- Peter B., Philadelphia
It's ironic that this question arrives two days after Burrell's career high tying five-RBI game that included a first-inning three-run homer, though I imagine it's also tied to him batting .211 in August.

Burrell remains streaky, extremely hot at times -- batting .326 with eight homers in April and .304 with seven homers in July -- and cold at other times -- in August, plus hitting .227 with five homers in May. Regardless, he always seems to belt 30 homers and drive in 90-110 runs. His .391 on-base percentage leads the Phillies and is seventh in the National League.

Will he be back? I'm not sure. I would have said, "No," at the beginning of the season, but the Phillies would have to find a power-hitting, right-handed-hitting replacement. I'm not saying this means he'll be back, but the Phillies will entertain the discussion.

Burrell will have suitors if he hits an open market that will also include Manny Ramirez, Milton Bradley, Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu (would you like to see him back?). Vladimir Guerrero is another outfield possibility, if the Angels don't exercise a $15 million option. Burrell turns 32 in October, and teams may covet a seven-year average of 29 homers and 93 RBIs, especially an American League club that can play him at designated hitter.

If Burrell hits the open market what type of free agent will he be? -- Rob C., Phoenixville, Pa.
Burrell will be a Type A free agent, meaning the Phillies will receive two compensatory Draft picks from the team that signs him, assuming he's offered arbitration. Philadelphia would get a "sandwich" pick between the first two rounds, and a first- or second-round pick of the team signing Burrell, depending on whether that team had one of the 15 worst records in baseball.

(phillies.com)