Blogs > Phollowing the Phillies

Insight, observations (and whatever else comes to mind) on the trails of the team that ended the quarter century-long parade drought in the City of Brotherly Love - the Philadelphia Phillies.



Friday, December 12, 2008

Phillies find their left fielder, sign Raul Ibanez

Pat Burrell's career with the Phillies is over.

According to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark, the Phils have come to a three-year, $30 million agreement with long-time Seattle Mariners outfielder Raul Ibanez.

Ibanez, who will turn 37 in June, hit .293 with 23 home runs and 110 RBIs with the Mariners this season.

The signing of Ibanez officially ends any thought of bringing Burrell, a career Phillie, back. The 32-year-old Burrell is also a free agent, but is likely seeking a more lucrative, long-term deal than the Phillies are willing to pay.

The Phillies may have had an inside track on signing Ibanez with at least two strong ties to Seattle. Former general manager Pat Gillick came to Philadelphia from the Mariners, as did new assistant general manager Benny Looper.

The move is only curious because Ibanez, like most of the Phillies middle-of-the-order bats, hits left-handed. But his splits against right-handed and left-handed pitchers last year may alleviate any issues of balancing the batting order.

Ibanez hit .305 against left-handed pitching last year and .288 against righties.

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