Burrell Goes Bust After Huge Deal

The Philadelphia Phillies have been throwing money around like George Steinbrenner lately, signing Jim Thome to a six-year, $85-million contract, Bobby Abreu to a five-year, $59-million deal and David Bell to a four-year, $17-million pact.

But they were far too generous -- even reckless -- in awarding outfielder Pat Burrell a six-year, $50-million extension last winter, a full year before Burrell, 26, was even eligible for arbitration.

Burrell began the weekend with a .191 average, 12 home runs, 34 runs batted in and 101 strikeouts in 319 at-bats after hitting .282 with 37 homers and 116 RBIs in 2002.

How far has Burrell’s stock plummeted? Two days before the All-Star break, Manager Larry Bowa pinch-hit for Burrell in the ninth inning with two on, no outs and the Phillies leading the Mets, 2-0.

“It was an easy decision,” Bowa said. “I think I’ve stayed with him for a long time.”

Asked if he was concerned about Burrell’s confidence, Bowa shook his head and said sharply, “It’s not about Pat. It’s about the other 24 guys.”

Burrell, whose bat in the second half could be the key to the Phillies’ playoff hopes, took the move in stride, saying he was upset and frustrated before admitting, “I haven’t been swinging the bat that well.”

A more radical move -- sending Burrell to the minor leagues to work out his problems -- was considered but rejected.

“I’ve tried a lot of different things and I’ve listened to a lot of people, but it all comes back to me,” Burrell said. “I have to look in the mirror and say, ‘It’s time to get this straightened out.’ And I’m trying.”

Finishing Kick

Something for the Angels to consider as they chase Oakland this summer: From 2000 to 2002, the Athletics were 154-70 after the All-Star break, a winning percentage of .688 and 12 games better than the next-best team, the St. Louis Cardinals (144-84).

Two years ago, the A’s went a dizzying 58-17 after the break, and last season the club put together a league-record 20-game win streak in August and September.

Oakland Manager Ken Macha attributes the team’s late charges to youth. While the young A’s are finding their stride, the older clubs (such as first-place Seattle, with a starting nine that averages 32 1/2 years in age) are getting tired and banged up.

Another factor is the ingenuity of General Manager Billy Beane, who has a knack for pulling off big deals at the trade deadline (see Ray Durham, Ricardo Rincon in 2002, Jermaine Dye in 2001).

Beane’s big move this year, though, could be in house. The A’s on Thursday called up highly touted pitcher Rich Harden, the 21-year-old whose fastball has been clocked at 98 mph, and the right-hander will join Tim Hudson, Barry Zito and Mark Mulder in what is already considered baseball’s best young rotation when he makes his big league debut Monday in Kansas City.

Harden, a native of Victoria, Canada, went 9-4 with a 3.15 earned-run average and 91 strikeouts in 88 innings at triple-A Sacramento. Sacramento Manager Tony DeFrancesco, believes Harden is ready for the challenge.

“I had Hudson and Zito [in double A],” DeFrancesco said, “and Rich looks just as good as those guys.”

They’re Baaaaack

That rumbling you hear in the National League West is the Arizona Diamondbacks, who welcomed Curt Schilling back from a broken right hand last week and will have Randy Johnson back from right knee surgery today.

They’re also expected to activate five more players -- outfielder Danny Bautista, second baseman Junior Spivey, catcher Rod Barajas and relievers Mike Koplove and Bret Prinz -- off the disabled list by the end of the month.

“We’ve got some All-Star players coming back, and guys who have a great track record in the second half throughout their careers,” Manager Bob Brenly said. “There’s reason for optimism, but it’s going to make for some tough decisions.”

That’s because while the starters were out, youngsters such as infielders Alex Cintron and Matt Kata, pitchers Brandon Webb, Andrew Good and Jose Valverde and utility player Robby Hammock provided a huge boost, helping the Diamondbacks win 12 in a row in late June and vault back into playoff contention.

Tough decision No. 1 came Friday when Arizona shipped Tony Womack to Colorado, opening up the shortstop job for Craig Counsell, Citron or Kata. General Manager Joe Garagiola Jr. doesn’t expect to add any impact players before the July 31 trade deadline, and why should he? His best reinforcements are but a phone call away to triple A.

All-Star Leftovers

San Diego outfielder Rondell White, pinch-hitting for a certain San Francisco Giant superstar, grounded into an inning-ending double play in the seventh inning Tuesday night, but his All-Star experience was thrilling, nonetheless.

“I got to hear them say, ‘Now batting for Barry Bonds ... Rondell White,’ ” he said afterward, genuinely excited. “Wow!”

Zito was replaced on the American League roster at the last minute by Roger Clemens, but the A’s left-hander did his usual between-starts long-tossing Tuesday and threw 40 or so pitches in a bullpen session overseen by Angel pitching coach Bud Black.

Joked Zito of being under the tutelage of a division rival: “Yeah, Bud was like, ‘Get your fastball up and make your curveball flat.’ ”

Woody’s Roundup

Padre General Manager Kevin Towers admits that trading pitcher Woody Williams for $10-million bust Ray Lankford was the worst move he has made in nearly nine years on the job.

Since joining the Cardinals on Aug. 2, 2001, Williams is 28-8 with a 2.67 ERA, and St. Louis is 33-14 (.702) in his starts. As if that wasn’t enough, Williams is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in three games against the Padres, taking a perfect game past the fifth inning in two of those starts.