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The New York Yankees could really use a left-handed hitter. Technically speaking, Raúl Ibañez is a left-handed hitter. So isn't this a relationship worthy of eHarmony?
Feb 6, 2012 - As you're no doubt aware unless you hate America, the New York Yankees have filled every hole but one while preparing to win their 83rd World's Championship.
They still don't have an ideal two-thirds of a Designated Hitter platoon. They've got Andruw Jones, who can certainly hold his own against left-handed pitchers. But the Yankees simply don't have a left-handed hitter on the roster who figures as a productive partner with Jones.
And now it seems like maybe they're getting just a little desperate ...
@Ken_Rosenthal
Ken Rosenthal Sources: #Yankees in serious discussions with Ibanez. He is willing to take less to play for them than he could get elsewhere. #MLB
Two things you kinda sorta gotta know about Raul Ibanez:
1. He'll turn 40 years old in June;
2. Playing at 39 last season, he was pretty terrible.
Granted, he was pretty good at 38 and excellent at 37. So maybe the Yankees are figuring 2011 was simply an anomaly. But when a player's statistics go down while his age goes up, we might reasonably assume there's some connection. And that the trendline isn't going to turn around.
Also granted, what really killed Ibañez's numbers last season was his "performance" against left-handed pitchers ... but he wasn't exactly gangbusters against the righties, either: .256/.307/.440. The freaking New York freaking Yankees can't find a left-handed hitter who can do better than that?
I'll be surprised if Ibañez actually signs with the Yankees, and even more surprised if he signs with the Yankees and plays well for them.
4 comments
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Comments
Rob, check this out, a piece I just wrote for Pinstripe Alley.
You’re not looking very deep into the issues with Ibanez with a simple triple slash.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Feb 6, 2012 8:39 PM EST reply actions
Ibanez, Damon, Matsui....the Twins are calling!
Ok, so maybe Raul Ibanez, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui are all “past their prime” or maybe the answer for these aging but quality veterans is a diet of Twinkies! After all, didn’t Jim Thome go to Minnesota and have a banner year in 2009?
The fact is that Minnesota is a great place to play and when their stars are healthy, and pitchers consistent (neither of which was the case in 2010/11), they’re usually in the thick of things in the AL Central. But Twins’ management, listen hard! Josh Willingham is a NICE player, but hardly the answer. And given Joe Mauer’s shaky health, Justin Morneau’s shaky health, and Denard Span’s shaky health (see a pattern?) doesn’t it make sense to add some veteran power to the line-up? So, let’s get the crow bar and open the check book to one or more of these vets and at very worst add some depth to a line-up that’s bound to have its stars spend some time on IR. Who knows? Maybe in Minnesota, 38 is the new 30!
by Krasman on Feb 6, 2012 8:46 PM EST reply actions
If Josh Willingham is "hardly the answer" then a worse+older+less versatile player should be even more obviously "hardly the answer."
“veteran power” comes at the cost of the DH spot, which MN needs to use as a revolving door this year what all their oft-injured stars that you just mentioned. Adding an old DH type would arguably hurt the Twins, and certainly own’t help them.
P.S. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau have combined to spend a total of zero time on IR. Total!!
by Bullpen Bully on Feb 6, 2012 11:36 PM EST up reply actions
Just want to say:
That as soon as I started reading this post, an eHarmony ad popped up. Are they trying to tell me something?
"There is no sports event like Opening Day of baseball, the sense of beating back the forces of darkness and the National Football League."
—George Vecsey
by extavernmouse on Feb 7, 2012 12:49 PM EST reply actions
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