BY SCOTT LAUBER
As expected, the Phillies have called a 4:30 p.m. press conference at the Bank to formally introduce their new left fielder, Raul Ibanez, who has signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract.
A few numbers about the lefty-hitting Ibanez:
-Batted .305 against left-handned pitchers last season, although he's only a .268 carer hitter against lefties.
-Batted .327 with runners in scoring position last season. For his career, he's a .305 hitter with runners on second and/or third base.
-His 338 RBIs over the past three seasons ranked second among AL outfielders behind only Magglio Ordonez.
-He will wear No. 29 (just in time to buy those jerseys for Christmas).
"Raul not only brings a big bat to our lineup, but also a terrific attitude to the clubhouse," Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement released by the team. "He is a quality individual that will fit in well with our club. We believe that a team wins not only with talent, but also with character and Raul has both."
We'll be at the Bank for the 4:30 announcement. Meantime, what would you like to know about Ibanez? Let me know, and maybe, just maybe, I'll ask your question.
***
For those who pay attention to the minor leagues, here are the Phils' 2009 coaching staffs at each level of the farm system:
Lehigh Valley (Class AAA): manager- Dave Huppert; pitching coach- Rod Nichols; coach- Greg Gross.
Reading (Class AA): manager- Steve Roadcap; pitching coach- Steve Schrenk; coach- Frank Cacciatore.
Clearwater (Class A): manager- Ernie Whitt; pitching coach- Dave Lundquist; coaches- Ramon Henderson, Kevin Jordan.
Lakewood (Class A): manager- Dusty Wathan; pitching coach- Bob Milacki; coach- Greg Legg.
Williamsport (short-season): manager- Chris Truby; pitching coach- Tom Filer; coach- Eric Valent.
Gulf Coast (rookie): manager- Roly deArmas; pitching coaches- Aris Tirado, Carlos Arroyo; coach- Luis Melendez.
Coordinators: field- Mike Compton; pitching- Gorman Heimueller; hitting- Sal Rende; outfield- Jerry Martin; bunting/baserunning- P.J. Forbes; infield- Doug Mansolino.
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4 comments:
Ask him about his fielding/throwing arm skills. Will he have to be taken out like Burrell or is he a nine inning outfielder.
Cool to see former Blue Jays catcher Ernie Witt as a minor league manger for the Phillies. He should definitely help the Phillies young catchers at that level.
Chris in Houston
Funny, I was going to ask a similar question. I would ask if they feel he is going to improve their left field defense. And if you get a follow up, ask them, without sounding like a jerk of course, what makes them think so.
Ask how he feels replacing a fan favorite like Burrell and if he has any trepidations about playing in front of Philly Fans.
Chris & Doc: I'm sure his defense will be discussed today, but if you missed it, Charlie Manuel talked about that a bit yesterday. Essentially, he thinks Ibanez is a defensive upgrade over Burrell and not someone who will need to be replaced in the late innings. Here's his full quote:
"He'll catch what he gets to, and he runs pretty good," Manuel said. "From what I've seen, he's very adequate. Would I call him great? Maybe not. But he's solid. He can play a full nine innings."
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