Ibanez lands $1.1 million from Yankees, ESPN reports
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Ibanez lands $1.1 million from Yankees, ESPN reports
David Murphy
Raul Ibanez faced an uncertain future this fall after struggling to make contact and reach base in the final year of the three-year, $31.5 million deal he signed with the Phillies after the 2008 season.
But the Yankees were in need of a left-handed power bat to share designated hitter duties, and today ESPN's Buster Olney reported that New York had agreed to a $1.1 million deal with Ibanez. The 40-year-old veteran hit just .245 with a .289 on-base percentage for the Phillies last season, both of which were career lows and well below his career averages of .280 and .342. Ibanez did, however, hit 20 home runs in 435 at-bats, with a left-handed pull swing that should translate well to the short right-field fence at the new Yankee Stadium.
Ibanez's numbers in his three seasons as a Phillie:
2009: .272/.347/.552, .899 OPS, 34 HRs, 93 RBI, 93 RS
2010: .275/.349/.444, .793 OPS, 16 HRs, 83 RBI, 75 RS
2011: .245/.289/.419, .707 OPS, 20 HRs, 84 RBI, 65 RS
The Phillies will receive a draft pick in the supplemental round, which is between the first and second round. They had offered him arbitration, but Ibanez turned it down in what is presumed to have been a gentlemen's agreement between the two sides.
Rauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul— NewMick314- Good for you Raul...
Why are writers and fans still talking about a "short right field fence/porch" in THIS Yankee Stadium -- as if they are old enough (and they aren't) to remember the ORIGINAL Yankee Stadium's short right-field fence/porch (the one so friendly to Ruth, Maris, etc.... at less than 300 feet)? - At the price, a real good move by the Yankees.— richw38
- A good man found a good job with a good team.
Raul, you deserve to end your career with a top-flight team. Now, you can at least say, you are with the second-best team in the majors. Not too shabby, dropping from #1 to #2. I wish you the best...except don't do it against the Phils.— gotedge - I wish him well.
New York got a bargain. Raul naybe 39, but his home run and RBI production is well worth the price.— Seal Rock - He should bring some class to an organization that could use all they can get..........— Earl J
- ExiledFla, it may not be as short as it was in the 50's and 60's (296 ft), but it's still only 314 feet, as it was at old Yankee stadium from 1988 on.
Congratulations to Raul, very glad that he landed somewhere.
Little known fact: among all players in baseball history, here is where Raul's stats in his 30s rank (i.e. age 30 through 39 seasons):
7th in doubles
8th in RBIs
That's partly because he's also 11th in plate appearances, but impressive nevertheless considering the hundreds of great players that he passed.— schmenkman - Good luck to him— sore richard
- The yankmees and their miserable fan base can enjoy watching Raul hit into those interminable 4-3 putouts, or better yet, those 4-6-3 twin killings.— thingfish
- @thingfish, a lovely sentiment for such a standout and standup guy. Thanks for elevating the tenor of this discussion. — raltman
- RAAAAUUUUUUL! You will be missed. I loved how you turn on the ball. You were a pleasure to watch. Wish we had you for more years but loved you while you were here. Played hard everyday. Gotta respect that. Good Luck in NY. See you in the world series, unfortunately, Halladay, Lee, Hamels will be owning you in that series. but good luck— Apollo Creed
Comment removed.- Enjoyed having Raul here, enjoyed him, good team guy with some punch, good luck Raul! Just sayin'...— DJ
- obviously Raul fot that price would have been a MAJOR upgrade over Thome --or any other of their bench signings— warbiscuit
- Comment removed.
