GMs' meetings: The Mets and Raul Ibanez
The Mets have reached out to the agents for free-agent outfielder Raul Ibanez, two sources told me today. Brothers Sam and Seth Levinson represent Ibanez.
While the Mets continue to prioritize pitching, they are looking at offensive upgrades, particularly in the outfield. Look at Ibanez's numbers; he's had a nice career.
That he hits lefty doesn't work great for the Mets; they definitely have a greater need for a righty bat. Furthermore, Ibanez's age (he turns 37 next June) is not ideal, as the Mets, burned so much by older players like this guy and this guy, are trying to get younger.
At this point, however, you don't rule anything out. The Mets have a strong working relationship with the Levinsons, who represent current Mets David Wright and Luis Castillo (just let me hide under my desk before you commence throwing tomatoes) as well as many other prominent players.
Thanks to this site for the photo.
E-mail
Facebook
Digg
Delicious
Comments (9)
Ibanez represents a step back for the Mets. If I was a Mets fan, I wouldn't want to go in that direction.
This is obviously the beginning of another Mets youth movement. :)
A big fat NO on Ibanez. Horrible defender. I'd rather platoon Murphy and Tatis and sign Hudson for 2B, then spend waste dollars on that guy in LF. Dunn is a better option. Slightly better defender amazingly enough, more power, more OBP skills, and he can shift to 1B in 2010. Unless it's for one year and small dollars Ibanez isn't a good fit.
The other people who have placed posts on this story are idiots. Ibanez has more runs batted in the last three years than Manny Ramirez and Mark Texeria. So shut up about him not being a good fit. He is the most consistent hitter available. You can not promise me that Orlando Hudson will stay healthy, because guess what, he is ended the last two years on the disabled list. You other fans are idiots, and dont talk about stuff when you have no idea what your talking about.
Met Fan - I heard all the same nonsense about Alou and the Mets flushed money down the drain on him. Forget about signing 37 year old players. But then again, I'm an idiot like everyone else here except you. Are you Ibanez's agent or are you Ibanez?
Rual Ibanez is a fine baseball player albeit one of the league's worst defenders. And at the right price, I'd take him. But giving him 2+ years guaranteed at 9-10 million would be a mistake imo. There are just so many possibilities, but I'm glad Met Fan is here to clear them all up. Please elaborate so we can learn at the masters feet.
Welcome aboard Met Fan. I can't wait to hear from you again....
Ibanez played in every game last year, so I don't think you could say he is the next Moises Alou. He really would be a great fit, other than the fact that he's a lefty. In that case, they should go after Milton Bradley because he will show his frustration and I can see him making the Phillies-Mets rivalry even greater. Plus he is a switch hitter, adding a right handed bat when they face a right hander. And by the way, sorry for coming off so angry yesterday, I just think some of the other comments are crazy because Ibanez has been one of the most consistent players, and all that was said about him was negative.
Forget R.Ibanez if I were Omar I would look to Toront's A Rios. To me he's much younger and he hits from the right side. Soon AJ Burnett will be gone as a Free Agent so why not trade Hielman straight up for this guy.
I just think A.Rios fits better then Raul or Bradley would