Originally published Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Mariners outfielder Raul Ibanez likely headed to Philadelphia
/ PHILADELPHIA — Left fielder Raul Ibanez, who posted the Mariners' top on-base-plus slugging percentage the past three years, agreed...
The Philadelphia Inquirer
/
PHILADELPHIA — Left fielder Raul Ibanez, who posted the Mariners' top on-base-plus slugging percentage the past three years, agreed to a contract Friday with the Phillies, sources said, in a deal believed to be worth $31.5 million over three years.
The Phillies would not confirm the agreement because Ibanez must first pass a physical, but an announcement is expected next week.
Ibanez will receive a $2 million signing bonus, payable this year, a $6.5 million salary next season and $11.5 million each in 2010 and 2011. He joins former Mariners pitcher Jamie Moyer and ex-Seattle GM Pat Gillick in the Philadelphia organization.
The beginning of the Ibanez era in Philadelphia means the end of the Pat Burrell era.
Burrell hit a leadoff double off the left-center-field wall in the seventh inning in Game 5 of the World Series — which led to the winning run in the series-clinching game.
The Phillies had targeted Ibanez early in the free-agent process, though this week at the winter meetings in Las Vegas they had tried to trade for Chicago Cubs super-utility man Mark DeRosa. But once the Cubs, who were trying to get Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres, pulled the plug on the complex three-team deal, the Phillies stepped up their efforts to get Ibanez.
The Cubs, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels all had interest in Ibanez, and for good reason. Ibanez hit .293 with 23 home runs and 110 runs batted in last season. He also has had at least 105 RBI each of the previous three seasons, and ranks 12th in baseball in RBI (338) in that three-year span. Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday are the only outfielders to have more RBI the last three seasons than Ibanez.
Ibanez's arrival means the Phillies can turn their full attention to their pitching staff. Ibanez happens to be close to Moyer, which could help negotiations between the Phillies and the 46-year-old left-hander. Moyer has talked with the Milwaukee Brewers about a potential contract, but it is believed Moyer will be re-signed at some point.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
UPDATE - 7:15 PM
Mariners' Felix Hernandez has fun in spring debut, after scary start
UPDATE - 8:27 PM
Catcher Gregg Zaun retires after 16 seasons
Mariners' Ackley adjusting at second base
Carlos Beltran singles in first spring at-bat | Baseball
Sideline Chatter: And you thought there wasn't a Hornets in baseball

nwautos
Turismo upgrade "Gran Turismo 5: XL Edition" for PlayStation 3 has features such as new car-tuning settings, new NASCAR vehicles, better replay video...
Post a comment
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
- Quick decisions: How Washington hired its new football staff
- Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looms
- Justin Wilcox's versatile defensive style is the right fit for Huskies | Jerry Brewer
- Social worker recounts minutes before Powell fire
- It's Terrence Time: Enigmatic Ross leads Huskies
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- Club promoter convicted in brutal 2010 murder of Des Moines prostitute
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
491 - Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looming
371 - Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
359 - Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
247 - AP Source: Obama to change birth control rule
246 - 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
245 - Oregon live game thread
155 - Pac-12 picks ... including the UW game
140 - Worker: Josh Powell told son he had 'surprise'
108 - Rough road again
102
- Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Economy, blogs give survivalists new reason to look to Northwest
- State's share of mortgage settlement: $648 million
- One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
- Darren Berg gets 18-year sentence for Ponzi scheme
- Bellevue College adds a third bachelor's degree program
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review










