MVN: Most Valuable Network

Perish the thought.  Pat Burrell, starting left fielder for your 2008 World Series champion Phillies, has signed a 2 year, 16 million dollar deal with the World Series losing Tampa Bay Rays. Although goodbyes have already been said, this is a sad day nonetheless.  Burrell's contract proves a couple things:

1. It's a fairly down market outside of the Yankees
2. The Phillies vastly overpaid for a lesser Raul Ibanez
3. One year of Burrell at 16 million could've easily been had.

Burrell would've accepted arbitration no problem if this is what was out there for him.  Instead, the Phils didn't offer it and instead signed 36 year old Raul Ibanez to a three year deal.  Quality pickup if I do say so myself.  Why retain flexibility for 2010 and 2011 when you can lock yourself into the 37 and 38 year old versions of Ibanez?  The logic is flawless.

Now the Rays find themselves one LF/DH richer.  Burrell will be good for a 370 OBP, 30 homer season.  With the revenue streams the Phillies are seeing, they now have the cash to afford a decent-sized payroll.  I'd have taken Burrell for one year over Ibanez for three, wouldn't you?

Anyway, good luck to Pat.  He'll be the veteran presence on a young Rays team who will be facing the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays 57 times a year.  Oh, and the Orioles.