Now that A.J. Burnett is officially a former Yankee, Buster Olney reports that the team has reached its inevitable agreement with veteran slugger Raul Ibanez, pending a physical. Ibanez is expected to serve as the designated hitter against right-handed pitching with Andruw Jones, in addition to other veteran players including Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, receiving at-bats as DH versus lefties.
Ibanez, 39, hit .245/.289/.419 for the Phillies last season, but slugged .440 with 16 home runs against right-handers and is 7-for-23 with two homers and two doubles in six games at the new Yankee Stadium. In addition to a lefty swing tailor-made for the park, the Yankees' evaluation of Ibanez concluded that he, more so than Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, can provide additional depth in the outfield.
“The preference would be to find someone from the left side that can do some damage against right-handed pitching,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters in Tampa. “But at the same time, in the event we have injuries that hit in season, I’m looking for a player that my manager could put out for defense.”
Ibanez is expected to receive a $1.1 million base salary. The Yankees freed up salary with the Pirates agreeing to pay $13 million of the $33 million remaining on Burnett's contract. It's also likely Eric Chavez will be re-signed. If healthy -- Chavez played in only 58 games last season and hasn't appeared in more than 100 since 2006, so that's a big if -- he's a valuable reserve at first and third base.
UPDATE 9:23 a.m.: Chavez isn't 100 percent guaranteed. Olney Tweets the Yankees will sign him on their terms or not at all.
UPDATE 9:41 a.m.: Ibanez will report on Thursday and will earn $4 million maximum if he reaches all plate appearance incentives.
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