Raul Ibanez, New York Yankees Agree to One-Year, $1.1 Million Deal
The Yankees search for a left handed designated hitter has ended – at least temporarily.
According a report by ESPN’s Buster Olney, the New York Yankees have agreed to a one-year deal with Raul Ibanez worth $1.1 million plus incentives.
Ibanez, 39, must still pass a physical for the deal to become official.
ESPN reports that the Yankees, in part, favored Ibanez over other free agents, like Johnny Damon, because they think he can play defense. With Ibanez’ numbers similar against right-handed pitching as other free agents the added element gave Ibanez the tie-breaker. The Yankees feel Ibanez gives them a little more depth.
“Optimally I would like to find a left-handed bat with a defensive component,” general manager Brian Cashman said Sunday of what he was looking for in a DH.
Ibanez, a career .280 hitter with a .342 OBP, slipped to .245, .289 last season. Last season against righties, he hit .256 with a .307 OBP, hitting 16 of his homers and producing 60 of his RBIs.
The Rual Ibanez deal came one day after the Yankees traded A.J. Burnett to Pittsburgh, an agreement in which the Pirates pay $5 million of the pitcher’s salary this year.
via ESPN New York
