Pat Burrell Could Be Headed for the Angels and For First Base

Things have been quiet so far this winter, but they can't stay that way forever. There are a lot of free agents on the market and they're going to head somewhere eventually. When players do start signing, the Angels figure to be in the middle of it all. They're currently involved in the bidding for CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira, but if things don't work out there, they have backup plans in place, too.

One of those plans is to possibly sign Pat Burrell and turn him into a first baseman if they can't ink Teixeira, who wants a 10-year deal that the Angels might not be willing to commit to. Burrell should be much cheaper than Teixeira and, though he's not a switch hitter like Tex, he's usually good for an OPS in the .900 range, something that's helpful to just about any team.

The question, of course, is whether or not the famously poor-fielding Burrell could adjust to first base. Sam Miller uses Bill James' defensive spectrum to reason that he can, but I'm not so sure. I mean, can you picture Burrell staying down on a grounder? Or digging a bad throw out of the dirt? He can't do much of anything right in the outfield. It's true that first base is populated by a lot of guys that are bad at other positions and it's hard to imagine Burrell being worse than a guy like Jason Giambi, but asking him to learn a new position seems like a potentially disastrous proposition.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-01-2008 @ 10:22PM

Mike said...

Your article is incorrect he is not a poor fielder his range is very poor but he catches everything he gets to and has a strong and accurate arm which is how he led the NL in assists twice in his career and also he played first base his first year in the bigs because Scott Rolen played 3rd which is Pat's position in college. And one more very important thing ...STAY IN PHILLY PAT!!!!!!!

12-03-2008 @ 1:03AM

TheFixer508 said...

Pat isn't a bad fielder. He is just slow in the legs and feet. I would like to see him work with some track and field athletes, maybe some boxing or dance. Anything to help his footwork and speed. And Of course keep him here at a slightly lower salary.

12-03-2008 @ 7:20PM

Coreymg99 said...

I agree and his hitting has been going down the hole alot

12-03-2008 @ 3:37AM

Bernier lauredan said...

In a market so thin in pitching, it is unlikely Burrell and his advisers will acccept a change in position. We want him in New York.

12-04-2008 @ 4:22AM

Mr Kush said...

I sure hope the Angels dont go after this guy, I much rather they go with Kendra Morales, he will be a much better fit the Burrell given the chance

12-03-2008 @ 10:13AM

g said...

This article is incredibly irresponsible... burrell is slow a foot but he is an above average fielder. He has a strong arm and was actualy converted to left field. HIs natural position is third so I dont think he is going to have any trouble "getting down on a ground ball" They guy works hard and never complains. I want him to stay in Philly.

12-03-2008 @ 11:07PM

say hey kid said...

Lackey grab your shoulders and pull down real hard, now that your head is out of your butt maybe you will be able to see the game better. You really have no clue what you are talking about. I wouldn't say that Pat is a top defesive player but his arm is still strong. You really need to start to put the bottle down before you step up to the key board. We all know you are a Pirate fan and don't like the Phillies but give it a break.

12-03-2008 @ 7:29PM

Pat Burrell should stay in Philly. I'm a huge philly fan I was there when they won it. So ha ha Rays fans if there is any Rays fans on here you should look at this message. But I bet there at home crying.

12-03-2008 @ 7:35PM

The Rays arent really a bad team though even know they lost. Hey, at least they made to the world series

12-07-2008 @ 2:07PM

chris said...

Pat played first base in the minor leagues and his rookie season.

12-12-2008 @ 11:45PM

eddy said...

pat the bat would really look good in an angel uniform, but in left field. keep kendry morales in first and don't overspend for teixeira. get another pitcher.