PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) -The first step for Pat Burrell is learning the names of new teammates. The next for Tampa Bay’s biggest offseason acquisition is adjusting to his projected role with the Rays.
After spending most of the past decade as an everyday outfielder with the Philadelphia Phillies, the 32-year-old slugger is expected to be the primary designated hitter for the AL champions this season.
“I can’t lie, it’s different. Different faces, different everything,” Burrell, three months removed from helping the Phillies beat the Rays in the World Series, said Monday. “But change is good. I’m really looking forward to getting this thing started.”
One of the Rays’ top priorities this winter was to add a power hitter to a lineup also featuring Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford. Burrell averaged 31 homers, 99 RBIs and 103 walks the past four seasons.
n the Phillies’ clinching victory.
Now, he’s looking to join Edgar Renteria, Gary Thomasson, Tommy John and Don Gullett as the only players since 1970 to face a team in the World Series and then play for that club the following season.
“Hey, that’s part of it. The thing I keep thinking about is when you’ve been at a place like I was for a long time, you have a hard time turning the page and accepting some of the new things,” Burrell said.
“It’s going to be an adjustment period for me. But I tell you what, these guys have made it very easy for me as far as making me feel welcome. … I couldn’t be happier with what’s happened as far as me getting here.”
Burrell signed a $16 million, two-year contract in January after not being offered a new deal in Philadelphia, where he hit .257 with 251 homers and 827 RBIs over parts of nine seasons.
He reported to spring training in advance of Wednesday’s first full-squad workout and is getting a feel for his new surroundings and teammates.
“Fortunately everybody’s got their names on their back,” said Burrell, who batted .250 with 33 homers and 86 RBIs in his final season with the Phillies.
He’s eager to contribute any way he can with his team, noting the Rays didn’t sign him because they needed someone to carry the offense.
re to help,” Burrell said.
“The core of this team is home-grown. You’ve got some unbelievable players here, so anything I can do to help, I’m here. That’s kind of the way I look at it. I think it’s a little more realistic, too.”
A .153 career hitter (13-for-85) with one homer and seven RBIs as a DH, he conceded his biggest adjustment figures to be not playing in the field on a regular basis.
He’s already talked to some other players who’ve made the transition, including close friend and one-time Phillies teammate Jim Thome.
“For him, it’s really worked out great. He enjoys it. He said it’s something you have to kind of get your feet wet in and over time you kind of figure out what’s going to work for you,” Burrell said.
“I’m going to have to find a way to stay active. I don’t think I’m going to be somebody who can just sit in the dugout and wait for his time to come up,” he said. “I’d like to sit here and say I’ve got it all figured out, and I know what I’m going to be doing, but I think it’s kind of a work in progress.”
Rays manager Joe Maddon is confident Burrell will settle into a routine and flourish.
At the same time, becoming the regular DH doesn’t necessarily mean Burrell’s days as a leftfielder are over.
Injuries are among the factors that could change that.
“During camp we’re going to put him in the outfield some. … You just don’t know how the season is going to play out,” Maddon said. “The primary plan would be to play him as a DH, but you don’t know what’s going to happen otherwise. … He’s a fine outfielder. We could still do that.”
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