10 Reasons Pat the Bat is worth a shot

10 Reasons I think Pat Burrell's disappointing 2009 might not mean he is cooked as a full timer…..

1) He is still only 33 years old, if healthy the bat speed should still be there. I would find it highly unlikely that his bat could have slowed that much that quickly with age.

2) He was hurt last year. Went out in May with a "Stiff Neck"…got a cortisone injection and missed a month….The injury recurred in August, but he only missed part of 1 game… this could be part of the reason for his horrid year

3) He played 9 innings in the field last year…going from full time outfielder for your whole career to sitting on the bench for 2-3 innings at a time before hitting takes adjustment. Failing to adjust could be part of the reason for his failure.

4) As many others have mentioned, the American League IS different….take it for whatever it means to you

5) Expanded his strike zone in 2008 AND 2009 taking fewer pitches and swinging at more pitches out of the zone….this was good for 33 HR in 2008 but the approach didn't lead to success in 2009…. this trend is counter the norm as I expect veteran players to become MORE patient with time, not LESS patient (non-Giants sucky vets excluded)…..if he can recapture his high Pitch per PA ways, he should right the ship….

6) He is not playing to justify his current contract, he is playing for NEXT years contract….if he doesn't produce NOW, he will never have another good payday…..

7) Rolen and Glaus…..both older, both sank deeper, but are succeeding against odds…..hey if these two dinosaurs can resurrect their careers in the NL, then there is hope for anyone…..

8) His bad attitude is not of consequence…..he is low man on the totem pole coming into this clubhouse with the vets and talented kids we already have….they should keep him in his place….and if he hits….well…..does anyone care about chemistry at that point???

9) Low risk…he's cheap, we didn't have to cut any one of note from the 40 man (I can't even remember who got cut)

10) If I am wrong, then we can forget about the whole thing….not like he has some fat fucking 5 year $60 million contract attached to him that forces him into the lineup when even a 4 year old with a rudimentary understanding of baseball knows that money should not equate to playing time……(sorry couldn't help it)



OK, so maybe it works, maybe it doesn't…..but signing and bringing up Burrell is a SMART CHEAP move…..beats the hell out of trading a pitching prospect for a 1/2 season rental player …..