Yardbarker: Eric Bruntlett

A Formal Goodbye to Beardo

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:58:43 -0500

As most of you have heard by now, Eric Bruntlett was officially granted free agency by the Phillies thus ending his career in Philadelphia. Most will remember him for his unassisted triple play against the Mets, him scoring the winning runs in both games three and five of the 2008 World Series, but I will [...]

Prepare To Not Like...

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:49:00 -0500

Juan Castro. If you didn't like Eric Bruntlett, and c'mon who the hell did?, you won't like Juan Castro. Castro is older, but is every bit as crappy of a utility infielder that Bruntlett was/is. He can't hit, but he's versatile...well la-de-fricken-da! A Swiss Army Knife is versatile too, but you don't see the Yankees trying to sign one to backup their infielders next season. Cutting Bruntlett loose was a smart move by Ruben Amaro Jr; signing his elder Mexican brother ...

Phillies set to sign IF Juan Castro

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:42:00 -0500

The Phillies are set to sign their first free agent of the offseason: utility infielder Juan Castro! Wait, that doesn't get you excited? What's not to like about a 15 year MLB veteran who has a career .230 batting average?Word has come out today that the Phillies and Castro have agreed to a one year contract pending a physical. Castro, who will turn 38 next June, will take over the Eric Bruntlett role on the team and fill in at second base and short stop whenever needed. While how muc...

Report: Phillies targeting utility vet Juan Castro

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:27:47 -0500

The 37-year-old infielder is a veteran of 15 seasons and hit .277/.311/.399 in 121 plate appearances with the Dodgers last season. The Dodgers are trying to resign him, according to the report on FoxSports. Beerleaguer: Very marginal, aging bench option from the right side with no speed, no bat and practically no time spent in the outfield. In some ways, Eric Bruntlett offers more versatility. He’s a career .230/.270/.332 hitter between four clubs, his best years coming as a semi-regular...

Phillies Rumors: Phils Close To Replacing Bruntlett?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:58:08 -0500

Hang on to your hats, the Phils are about to make their first move of the official off-season by signing....Juan Castro! FoxSports and Philly.com is reporting that a deal might be close on Castro, who would replace Eric Bruntlett as the Phils utility infielder who isn't any good. Here is a breakdown of the two players stats over the last two seasons... *UZR is career number at SS So - Castro is a slightly better hitter and definitely a better fielder than Bruntlett, though he is la...

Phillies news: five new free agents and the ROTY

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:09:00 -0500

Those guys over at Fire Eric Bruntlett will be happy about this one: the Phillies have non-tendered former World Series hero Eric Bruntlett, officially making him a free agent. Bruntlett, who can't hit a lick, will have to take his position versatility elsewhere if he hopes to continue his major league career. Bruntlett will forever be remembered for scoring a few big runs in the 2008 World Series and his unassisted triple play this season. For a guy who was basically useless, Bruntlett a...

Phillies cut ties with Eric Bruntlett

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:27:00 -0500

Add another infielder to the off-season wish listIn 2010 the Phillies will have a vastly different looking bench. With Matt Stairs, Miguel Cairo, and Paul Bako already on the free agent market, today the Phillies said so long to infielder Eric Bruntlett. Bruntlett accepted the chance to become a free agent and is not likely to return to the Phillies.Bruntlett will forever have a special place in most fans' hearts for his important role in the 2008 World Series championship, scoring a pair...

No More Bruntlett Part 2

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:16:00 -0500

Just last week Corey begged Ruben Amaro Jr. to nontender Eric Bruntlett a contract. A petition was put into action by the fine readership of WSBGMs. Today our wish was granted, as Bruntlett was removed from the 40-man roster, thus becoming a free agent.

Breaking news: Eric Bruntlett, four others, set free

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:15:42 -0500

The Phillies have non-tendered Eric Bruntlett, who hit just .171/.224/.238 in 118 plate appearances in 2009. In addition, right-handers John Ennis and Tyler Walker, catcher Paul Hoover and infielder Andy Tracy were granted free agency, according to the Daily News. [Link] Beerleaguer: It would have been hard to produce less if he tried. Bruntlett’s lone highlight was an unassisted, walk-off triple play Aug. 23 at Citi Field. Otherwise, his season was actually worse than rarely seen outfielder So Taguchi the...

The 2010 Bench

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:49:42 -0500

70% of the Phillies’ 2009 plate appearances were taken by the starting eight; only 14% were taken by bench players. With Matt Stairs and Eric Bruntlett gone, the Phillies now need to look for adequate bench players either from within or on the free agent market. I’ve perused the list of free agents at MLB Trade [...]

No More Bruntlett

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:08:00 -0500

The Phillies management has plenty to do this offseason and they've already made a few decision. Brett Myers won't be back next season. Pedro Feliz could be back but not with his current contract. The Phils didn't pick up the option so he is now a free agent. I'm okay with both of these moves. What I'm not okay with is the lack of news about Eric Bruntlett. Ruben Amaro Jr. need to come out immediately and state their plans for the bearded utility player. As fans, we deserv...

Bruntlett Becomes Historical

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:44:00 -0500

Eric Bruntlett had an historically amazing day. Not only did he see his batting average from .128 to .154 with a 3-5 day at the plate, he also committed an error in the 9th inning that put our shaky closer on thin ice, but redeemed himself with the 14th unassisted triple play in MLB history to end the game. Let's be honest, he's still a horrible baseball player, but he certainly etched his place in Phillies lore with that play. Phillies won an ugly game 9-7, and that's good enough...