Originally published Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 12:00 AM
PrintMariners 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
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DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Outfielder Raul Ibanez declined the Mariners' offer of arbitration earlier this week.
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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
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