Ibanez goes to Phillies

[Alloutwar]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3764268

The Phillies have agreed to a three-year contract with free-agent outfielder Raul Ibanez, pending a physical. The deal is believed to be worth $30 million over three years.

The 36-year-old Ibanez will become the Phillies' new every-day leftfielder, and his signing means the Phillies no longer will pursue their long-time leftfielder, Pat Burrell, who is also a free agent.

[dickay]

10 mil per is cheap for him. I think we're seeing with KRod & him, coupled with the long delays to get the FA signing moving that the economy is effecting whats being offered. Great great signing for the Phils.

[filihok]

I don't get it. Not at all. Why Ibanez over Burrell?

Same type of hitter.
Same lack of defense.
Another left-handed bat in a line up that already has Howard and Utley from that side.
He's older. 37. That much more likely to drop off than Burrell would have been.

Not the player I would have signed.

Phillies probably could have made up for losing Burrell even if they'd gone defense in left

[dickay]

I don't get it. Not at all. Why Ibanez over Burrell?

Same type of hitter.
Same lack of defense.
Another left-handed bat in a line up that already has Howard and Utley from that side.
He's older. 37. That much more likely to drop off than Burrell would have been.

Not the player I would have signed.

Phillies probably could have made up for losing Burrell even if they'd gone defense in left

True, they are similar. Maybe Burrell didn't want to resign, or length of contract and injury concerns may have been an issue? Ibanez has been far more durable, despite his age. I also think he'll have better stats in the NL with better protection around him than he had in the AL on a poor team. Lastly, I think teams are looking for charecter guys...and I've heard nothing but people on ESPN the last few days ranting about how many people around the Mariners state he's a superb presence in their locker room.

[HoustonGM]

I don't get it. Not at all. Why Ibanez over Burrell?

Same type of hitter.
Same lack of defense.
Another left-handed bat in a line up that already has Howard and Utley from that side.
He's older. 37. That much more likely to drop off than Burrell would have been.

Not the player I would have signed.

Phillies probably could have made up for losing Burrell even if they'd gone defense in left

Agreed 100%. This really is baffling to me.

True, they are similar. Maybe Burrell didn't want to resign, or length of contract and injury concerns may have been an issue?

Burrell not wanting to resign is really the only viable option I see there, and I have no idea if that was the case or not. Burrel's not going to get more than 3-4 years himself. Plus, Ibanez is the greater injury risk.

Ibanez has been far more durable, despite his age.

Over the last 4 seasons, Burrell has played 610 games, an average of 152.5. Ibanez has played 632, an average of 158. That's barely any difference. Both players have been very durable. Neither is "far more durable." Adjust it for age, though, and Ibanez has the greater likelihood for injury and/or sudden collapse.

[dickay]

Agreed 100%. This really is baffling to me.


Burrell not wanting to resign is really the only viable option I see there, and I have no idea if that was the case or not. Burrel's not going to get more than 3-4 years himself. Plus, Ibanez is the greater injury risk.


Over the last 4 seasons, Burrell has played 610 games, an average of 152.5. Ibanez has played 632, an average of 158. That's barely any difference. Both players have been very durable. Neither is "far more durable." Adjust it for age, though, and Ibanez has the greater likelihood for injury and/or sudden collapse.

yeah, i see my error...i was looking at 'at bats' and of course with all burrells walks his listed 'at bats' were much lower. for some reason, in my haste i ran with it instead of looking at the games played.

Another option may be dollars......isn't Burrell a Boras guy? 10 mil per for his Ibanez's numbers are pretty good...Burrell I would think if he is a Boras guy is demanding much more.

[RedsoxRockies]

Why the hell did they not sign Burrell instead? He would not cost much more and is younger. I am surprised really that Ibanez got that much, as well, yet in a way not surprised. i have been expecting him to collapse for years, but he never does. But now the Phillies are paying him $30 Million for 3 years. Do you guys really think Raul has that much left?

[WHAK0985]

Hooray for more Mariners draft picks!

[metsguy234]

Why the hell did they not sign Burrell instead? He would not cost much more and is younger. I am surprised really that Ibanez got that much, as well, yet in a way not surprised. i have been expecting him to collapse for years, but he never does. But now the Phillies are paying him $30 Million for 3 years. Do you guys really think Raul has that much left?

He does.

Good signing by Philly, although I wish the Mets had gotten him.

Well, now I hope we can snag Burrell...

[Moot]

But he's over 35!

[200tang]

hooray for more mariners draft picks!

:d

[Arctic Blast]

Unless there was a total falling out with Burrell, this is a weird, weird move.

[OldFatGuy]

It's possible Burrell didn't WANT to play there anymore. The fans there were sometimes, well, pretty hard on him.

[skudplayr]

Actually Burrell has always said that he loved the fans. The Phils offered Burrell 3 years, $33 million during the season and he rejected it. They went back to him but he didn't come down from his demands. He has never really put together a complete season and it ridiculously streaky. Plus he's hurt all the time (he may play through it, but he's hurt).

[dickay]

Actually Burrell has always said that he loved the fans. The Phils offered Burrell 3 years, $33 million during the season and he rejected it. They went back to him but he didn't come down from his demands. He has never really put together a complete season and it ridiculously streaky. Plus he's hurt all the time (he may play through it, but he's hurt).

i dunno about the injuries, he has played the past 4 years consistently at an equivalent level as Raul. His contract demands seem excessive however.