Pat Burrell DFA'd

[A.E]

Rays designate Burrell for assignment

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays designated Pat Burrell for assignment before Saturday's game against Seattle and selected the contract of infielder Hank Blalock from Triple-A Durham.

Burrell has struggled since signing with the Rays before the start of the 2009 season. The designated hitter hit just .202 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 24 games this season.

Willy Aybar has seen additional playing time at DH recently as Burrell, who struck out 28 times in 84 at-bats, failed to break out of his hitting funk.

Tampa Bay will be responsible for the remainder of Burrell's $9 million salary in the second season of a $16 million, two-year contract. If he's released, a team that signs him would pay just a prorated share of the $400,000 minimum.

In the unlikely event he's traded, Burrell would receive a $200,000 bonus. -ESPN

Burrell needs a change in scenery and I think Seattle needs to bring him in ASAP. If Burrell can find his power stroke again, the Mariners desperately need it in the lineup.

 

[playmaker7]

I could see him in Seattle. But I seriously wonder what happened to him. He used to be a great player...now he's mediocre

 

[The Guid]

Could he find his power stroke in Safeco? Isn't it a hitters nightmare?

 

[Blake]

Good, get this old bastard outta here.

 

[cruzg24]

What sux is that if the Rays didnt give him that big contract, they couldve had a greater possibility of signing Crawford or Pena who are both Free Agents this year.