Ibanez and Hamels

Ibanez signed on for 3 years 

The Phillies added a new left-fielder today, signing Raul Ibanez to a 3-year deal worth $30 million.  Over the last three seasons, with the Mariners, Ibanez has driven in over 100 runs each year and hit about .290 each year.  He’s also averaged 25 home runs over that span, which could definitely increase with the move from pitcher-friendly Safeco Park to the Bank.  All reports indicate that he’s in great shape for a 36-year-old and his injury history is virtually non-existent. 

So, at $10 million a year for a player of that caliber, you have to say it’s a decent deal.  There’s only one concern, and it’s a pretty big one: he’s left-handed.  Everyone knows that the Phils are in need of a right-handed bat with power, and it looks like they are not going to get one anytime soon.  Ibanez did actually hit lefties really well last year, hitting .305 with a .497 slugging percentage against them, which is better than he was against righties.  However, the previous two years he struggled mightily against left-handed pitching (.256 AVG, .356 SLG in ’07 and .243 AVG, .362 SLG in ’06).  In fact, his overall career numbers show that last year’s success against lefties was probably an anomaly, and that you really don’t want him batting behind Utley and Howard.   

So, did the Phillies just pay $30 million to a 6-hitter?  Could that money have been better spent elsewhere, on a player that fills their needs better?  Or maybe the line-up can shuffled in a way that will make this work.  Ideas:

1. Rollins, 2. Victorino, 3. Utley, 4. Howard, 5. Werth, 6. Ibanez, 7. Feliz, 8. Ruiz

1. Rollins, 2. Utley, 3. Werth, 4. Howard, 5. Ibanez, 6. Victorino, 7. Feliz, 8. Ruiz

Any others?  Also, does this signing possibly signal that the Phils are looking to move Howard, either this offseason or next?

Hamels disses Mets

Cole Hamels went on WFAN with the great Mike Francesa yesterday and called the Mets “choke artists”.  Granted, Francesa kind of led him into saying it, but he still said it pretty emphatically. 

Now, first of all, he’s basically stating a fact here.  I don’t think I’ve talked to a single Mets fan over the past year (and I’ve talked to a lot) that wouldn’t agree that their team has repeatedly buckled under the pressure.  So, the question really is: Should Hamels have said it? 

A few months ago, I would have said, No way.  Why put a bull’s eye on your back, Cole?  Are you willing to handle the torment and pressure you just put on yourself?  But, just in case you didn’t catch it, in the postseason a couple months ago, Mr. Hamels made 5 starts with a 1.80 ERA and carried his team to a World Series title. It’s fair to say he can handle the pressure and that he can throw a choke artist label on whoever he damn well pleases.