Giants talking to Pat Burrell about a AAA deal

The Giants are negotiating with free-agent left fielder Pat Burrell on a Triple-A contract, I've been told, a no-risk deal that could bring the Bay Area product home.

I've been told that the contract is in the "talking stages" and that Burrell does have other options he is mulling.

Burrell, 32, grew up in San Jose, played for Bellarmine High (before going to the University of Miami) and has 267 career home runs, though he struggled mightily in his season and change with Tampa Bay after winning a 2008 World Series ring with Philadelphia. He hit .221 in 14 homers last year and was batting .202 when the Rays designated him for assignment last week.

When I nosed around regarding Burrell last week I was told the Giants were not interested, but that was when he was looking for an immediate major-league deal.

A Triple-A deal would be a perfect situation for the Giants. They could look at him in Fresno for a spell then bring him to the bigs if they choose while paying him the prorated portion of the major-league minimum, while the Rays pick up the rest of what's left of his $10 million salary.

One question I can't answer now is whether the Giants' interest has anything to do with what Mark DeRosa learned when he visited a wrist specialist in Baltimore today. I have not heard how that went.

Burrell is not considered a strong defensive player. In fact, he was Tampa Bay's designated hitter. But the Giants are desperate for offense. I realize Burrell falls into the "lightning in a bottle" category, but he did hit 33 home runs two years ago in the National League.



(sfgate.com)