Pat "The Bat" Burrell designated for assignment

[missionhockey21]

The Rays still owe Burrell almost 10 million dollars for this season. Isn't crazy how when he signed so many, including myself, believed the Rays were getting a steal? It seemed like a sweetheart deal with Burrell, still young enough and talented, leaving a team like the Phillies and really helping to shore up the Rays lineup with his veteran presence.

Was this just a guy hitting the age wall a lot sooner and harder than most? I mean in 2008 it wasn't exactly like Citizens Bank was his saving grace, his SLG% away was .577 versus at home it was only .439. Now though, no matter where he is, he can't hit his way out of a paper bag. Can he be restored even to a glimmer of his former self or he is done?

[realmofotalk]

Old player skills must be the cause. I also believe performance at the home ballpark carries over onto road games.

[Tobywan]

I put the link in the game thread yesterday about the decision. Everyone thought he would be a great addition and have been perplexed by his sudden decline. According to Maddon and Freidman he was gracious about it. Believe it or not the Rays have had bigger and more expensive busts, so us fans just take it in stride. Now we can go back to getting more production from shoe string salaries, we seem to have much better luck with that route.

[Kingdom]

Pat has a no Bat.

Next destination? San Francisco? Seattle? The soft ball team Eric Byrnes plays for?