Ibanez to Yankees
RAUL IBANEZ has finally found a new home. Ibanez, the Phillies' leftfielder for the last three seasons, yesterday agreed to a 1-year, $1.1 million contract with the New York Yankees, according to sources.
RAUL IBANEZ has finally found a new home.
Ibanez, the Phillies' leftfielder for the last three seasons, yesterday agreed to a 1-year, $1.1 million contract with the New York Yankees, according to sources.
Ibanez' deal also includes $2.9 million in performance bonuses.
"He's a guy that's hit righthanders very well over his career, can still play the outfield," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said, without confirming the agreement. "Has been a productive player if you look over the last 10 years."
Ibanez, who turns 40 in June, hit 70 home runs, with 260 RBI and batted .264 in three seasons with the Phillies.
In his 16-year career, Ibanez is a .280 hitter with 252 homers and 1,054 RBI.
With a swing that seems tailored to the short rightfield at Yankee Stadium, Ibanez is expected to be the Yankees' primary designated hitter against righthanded starting pitchers. New York decided on him over Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, who also are free agents.
The agreement came a day after the Yankees traded righthander A.J. Burnett to Pittsburgh, a deal in which the Pirates pay $5 million of the pitcher's salary this year and $8 million in 2013.