Ken Rosenthal is reporting on FoxSports.com that the Tampa Bay Rays are close to signing power-hitting outfielder Pat Burrell to a two-year, $16-million contract. Rosenthal writes that the slow-footed Burrell, who played on the Philadelphia Phillies team that defeated Tampa Bay in October's World Series, would be the designated hitter in Tampa after spending the first nine seasons of his career as Philadelphia's left fielder.

The 32-year-old Burrell hit .250 with 33 home runs for the Phillies last season. He's a lifetime .257 hitter with 251 home runs. In each of the past two seasons, he has hit more than 30 homers while walking more than 100 times. "Pat the Bat" is also perennially among the league leaders in strikeouts. Click here to see his stats.