MVN: Most Valuable Network

-Pat Burrell on deck, photo via Scott Ableman flickr photostream Creative Commons License

At times, Pat Burrell was the best hitter in baseball.  At other times, he was the worst hitter in baseball.  It was the best of times.  It was the worst of times.  It was the career of Pat Burrell in a Phillies uniform.  The question is whether that career ended on a high note or will there be a new chapter?

The Phillies are forming contingency plans if Pat the Bat does not return.  Reasons he may not be worth the price is his inconsistency at the plate, his baserunning resembling a construction worker with cement in his boots, and his poor defense in left field leading to his replacement in the 6th and 7th innings.  He had a great arm and was decent for a stretch in the outfield this year, but when his confidence goes then his flaws show.  It seems like his fielding feeds off his play at the plate.

If nothing is done, then the plan would be to move Jayson Werth over to left and play Geoff Jenkins in right.  40-year old Matt Stairs could also play into the equation in the outfield.  The problem with Jenkins is that he's not an everyday player anymore and really never was for the simple fact that he can't hit lefties.

The guy who keeps coming up as a decent option is Raul Ibanez.  The 36 year old left fielder and DH for the Mariners hits for a decent average and power, is consistent, and can hit lefties.  If you're looking for an everyday guy who can give you a solid 2-4 years, then this is the guy.

The Phils are strongly considering right handed bats as options to platoon with Jenkins and give flexibility off the bench.  Chris Coste was really the only good righthanded bat off the bench and he started half the time at catcher.  Eric Brunlett was used a lot last year for the simple fact that Charlie Manual really didn't have many options.  So Taguchi turned out to be little more than a pinchrunner.  With Chase Utley possibly out until June recovering from hip surgery and Pedro Feliz coming off of back surgery, Brunlett will be pressed into service in the infield.  So, don't fear Phillies fans.  Eric Brunlett is not the leftfielder.

Topping the list of righthanded bats out there is Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli.  His health concerns make him far from an everyday player, but in a platoon situation he could be the right guy.  Plus, he can give you a lift off the bench as well.

Another option mentioned for the Phillies is Jim Edmonds, who really wouldn't provide much more than what Jenkins gives except for perhaps more power.  Hey, Bobby Abreu is out there on the free agent market, although he'd probably rather move back to Venezuela than come back here.  That's if the Phillies want him back, which is such a big if that it's not even being mentioned.

Kevin Mench and Gabe Kapler are other names being mentioned.  Mench hasn't really done much since his 2005 year with the Rangers.  Kapler has been up and down throughout his career and wasn't even in the majors in 2007, but he hits the tar off of lefthanders and had a good season for the Brewers in 2008.  In 96 games, Kapler hit .301 with 8 homers in 229 at bats.  In 82 at bats against lefties, he hit .354.

If it turns out that the Phillies are interested in platooning Jenkins, then the right player for the job is Kapler.  Baldelli would be option number two, although his health and durability remains a concern.  Greg Dobbs can also play some outfield if needed, but the Phillies have the left handed bats in Utley, Howard, Dobbs, Jenkins and Stairs. 

Burrell balanced out the lineup with his right handed power and while none of the right handed bats suggested even come close to Burrell's power numbers, the feeling is that Jayson Werth made himself a big piece of the puzzle in stepping up this season.  Don't forget about the power of John Mayberry Jr. either.  He might also factor in to the Phils plans.  Stay tuned.