Burrell joins the Tampa Bay Rays with two-year deal

January 5, 2:53 PMPhiladelphia Phillies ExaminerPatrick Gallen

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Pat Burrell beats, then joins, the Tampa Bay Rays

According to FOXSports.com, our dear old friend Pat Burrell is heading south.  Burrell agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, joining the team he helped beat as part of the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies

The Rays fulfilled their need for a power hitter, although it is not clear which position he will play most, Designated Hitter, or right field.  Burrell has been a left fielder for the majority of his career, and while he exuded his lack of desire to DH, it appears that is where he will fit in.  Carl Crawford is Tampa's everyday left fielder.

Burrell did not get much publicity this winter, even though he hit 33 home runs and knocked in 86 runs last season with the Phils.  His numbers have fluctuated throughout his nine years in Philadelphia and even though he helped win a title, the Phillies decided it was time for a change.  Last month, the Phils brought in former Mariners left fielder Raul Ibanez as the replacement for the 32-year old Burrell.  

Over his nine seasons with the organization, Burrell hit 30-plus homers four times and had a career best 117 RBI in 2005.  The Rays hope his power stays put, however, his average was down to .250 last season and has showed a steady decline since 2005.  

Burrell will undeniably go down as one of the greatest Phillies ever, even though his tenure here was somewhat tortured.  After a 37-homer, 116 RBI campaign in 2002, he signed a long-term contract that expired after the Phillies playoff run.  Pat the Bat never quite lived up to the hype surrounding him, but he did consistently drive in runners and hit the long ball.

He no doubt will be missed in Philadelphia, although most will tell you it was probably time to move on.  Burrell will move to sunny Florida full time now, and will hope to be the missing piece to the Rays puzzle of young hitters and promising pitchers.  Good luck, Pat Burrell.