Yankees, Raul Ibañez agree to one-year deal
Raul Ibanez once of the Philadelphia Phillies hit a two-run single during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. (July 10, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees have their designated hitter against righties.
With the deal involving A.J. Burnett becoming official Sunday night, the Yankees signed Raul Ibañez to a one-year deal worth $1.1 million Monday m/orning in a move that had long been expected.
Ibañez, 39, who must pass a physical before the deal is announced, had a down season with the Phillies in 2011 but still hit 20 homers and drove in 84 runs in 144 games.
He is expected to be in Tampa by Wednesday.
"He's a guy that's hit righthanders very well over his career, can still play the outfield," manager Joe Girardi said, speaking generally of Ibañez because the deal isn't official. "Has been a productive player if you look over the last 10 years . . . so he's a guy that we definitely have a lot of interest in."
Ibañez, a career .284 hitter with a .347 on-base percentage and .476 slugging percentage entering the 2011 season, slipped to .245-.289-.419 last season. Against righthanders in 2011, he hit .256 with a .307 OBP and .440 SLG, hitting 16 of his homers and producing 60 of his RBIs in 402 of his 535 at-bats.
When asked Sunday what he was looking for in a DH, general manager Brian Cashman said, "Optimally, I would like to find a lefthanded bat with a defensive component."
Though Cashman didn't mention Ibañez specifically, for weeks it's been no secret that he was the organization's top choice to fill the role. But Cashman had to wait for the Burnett trade to go through before signing the outfielder/DH.
Girardi said he still would like a little more depth, which very well could come in the form of re-signing Eric Chavez as a reserve infielder, something Cashman said he's interested in doing.
With Ken Davidoff
