Yankees Rumors: New York Interested in Raul Ibanez
By Editorial Staff
The New York Yankees search for a designated hitter has seemingly been put on hold as they’ve introduced their pair of newly acquired starting pitchers, Hiroki Kuroda and Michael Pineda. Still, the Yankees figure to have potential bats on their radar, and Kevin Kernan of the New York Post is now reporting that New York has interest in free agent Raul Ibanez.
Since they dealt youngster Jesus Montero in the trade that put Pineda in pinstripes, the Yankees have reportedly been seeking a bat to slide into their designated hitter role. Some have said the Yankees search has been overblown, but it looks as if they are at least considering some of the market’s remaining bats.
Ibanez is one of the many veteran hitters still looking for a home this winter. Ken Davidoff of Newsday speculated last weekend that the Yankees would ultimately ink Ibanez, mainly due to the fact that he bats left-handed.
Ibanez only mustered an OPS of .707 last season for the Phillies, but the 39-year-old believes he’s corrected the flaws in his swing this winter. Even in a down year Ibanez was able to provide the Phillies with 20 home runs, 31 doubles and 84 RBI’s over his 575 plate appearances.
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