The Phils are moving on without Pat Burrell. They've inked a deal with Raul Ibanez, formerly with the Seattle Mariners.
Three years, 30 million. Less than what Burrell was making. Over the last three years, Ibanez has averaged 26 homers and 113 RBIs.
That's more RBIs than Burrell or Chase Utley. Only 11 players in baseball have more over that span. But, he is another lefty.
The Phillies will have to give the Mariners their first round pick in the 2009 draft as compensation.
The Good Phight blogger David S. Cohen say defensively: It's clear that Pat Burrell and Raul Ibanez are awful left fielders...the two worst left fielders in baseball for the last two years. He stacks up the stats for each, offensively. Here's his bottom line:
Ruben Amaro's first big free agent has these effects:
- it does nothing to solve one big problem (left field defense)
- it marginally improves a non-problem (hitting against righties)
- it significantly worsens the team with respect to a serious problem (hitting against lefties)
- it makes the team older
it gives up a first-round draft pick (thanks dajafi for reminding me in the comments)
I'd say that adds up to a very troubling start to Amaro's career and a big problem for the Phillies offense.