Cubs interested in Raul Ibanez?

[E.J.]

The News Tribune[/url]"]Ibañez, who has produced 228 RBI in the past two seasons, has one year left on his Mariners deal that pays him $5.5 million in 2008.

 

“Everybody is interested in Raul,” one Mariners executive said. “He’s a productive hitter, a good clubhouse guy and has a fair contract.”

 

The Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians, among others, each put Ibañez on a short list of targeted players this offseason.

 

In return, those teams can offer young pitching – the Indians have mentioned right-hander Aaron Laffey.

 

Would the Mariners move Ibañez? Only if they got an offer they couldn’t refuse.

 

At 35, Ibañez is a career .285 hitter who has led the Mariners in RBI each of the past two seasons and averaged 106 RBI over the past three years. Seattle wouldn’t mind moving him from the outfield to designated hitter, but there’s a logjam at DH with switch-hitter Jose Vidro.

[jersey cubs fan]

Interesting name. Probably a better version of Bobby Abreu at this point, although he's got to be a LF exclusively, right? His numbers are odd. He didn't play much in his 20's, and didn't start to hit much until 29. But he's been remarkably consistent year-over-year. His OPS+ has been higher than his career average of 111 in 6 of the past 7 years. I don't think I'd want to see the Cubs offer up a deal that Seattle can't refuse, but I wouldn't mind his bat on this team. He can't hit lefties worth a crap though.

[Banedon]

The Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians, among others, each put Ibañez on a short list of targeted players this offseason.

 

The Cubs list apparently includes Fukudome, Kuroda, Cameron, Crawford, Bradley, Matsui, Khalil Greene, and JD Drew....I'm not sure what the definition of a short list is...but that seems pretty long to me.

[rawaction]

Better than Shawn Green or Jeff Geonkins. Too old for my liking though, and only a 1-year deal. Means the Cubs could have a 6th year in 2009 with a new RF.

[BigbadB]

Coincidentally, Seattle wants to move Ibanez to DH next year because his defense isn't up to par.

[Post Count Padder]

I don't know about Ibanez. He's getting older and his defense and declining. He's been consistant year-year offensively, but his first half numbers last year were pretty pedestrian.

[Lefty]

This would be so Hendry-like. If they can't get Ibanez maybe they'll go after Randy Winn. Geez.

[Vanilla Ice]

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