Raul Ibanez

2013

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2012

Ibanez went through stretches where he really struggled last season and he eventually fell into a platoon with John Mayberry Jr. Ibanez will turn 40 this season and his skills are in decline so expecting a bounce-back season from him would be foolish. However, his .271 BABIP was well below his established career rate of around .310. Generally, players will see a correction toward their career average so there is a sign of hope, but that should be tempered given Ibanez's age. Playing time also figures to be an issue this season for Ibanez as his struggles against lefties will surely limit him to a platoon role with Andruw Jones as the Yankees' DH.

2011

Ibanez struggled mightily for the first half of last season but manager Charlie Manuel stuck with him and was rewarded with a .309/.375/.494 second-half slash line from his left fielder. Despite that solid finish, Ibanez was nowhere near the 34 home runs he posted in 2009 and at age 38, Ibanez will be lucky to hit more than 20 home runs in a season moving forward. He remains a decent investment in NL-only or deep leagues as he can hit for a decent average and is part of one of the better lineups in the NL. That being said, the Phillies may have less patience with Ibanez this year if he struggles out of the gate as he is in the last year of his contract with the club.

2010

The Phillies signed Ibanez to a three-year deal after the 2008 season and were rewarded with one of the best seasons of his career. Ibanez hit a career-high 34 home runs despite being limited to 134 games due to a groin injury. He underwent surgery for a sports hernia this winter, but is expected to be ready for spring training. Ibanez turns 38 this season and while it is hard to imagine him dropping off a steep cliff, some offensive decline should be expected due to aging and the increased possibility of injury. Expect a solid season, but not another career performance from Ibanez this year.

2009

Ibanez continued to confound the actuary tables with career highs in hits (186) and extra-base hits (69) last season at age 36. He got hot in mid-June and carried that through summer, hitting .346 with a 1.009 OPS, 14 homers and 53 RBI before slowing to a crawl in September (.233/.292/.301). The Mariners would have brought him back on a one-year deal, but Ibanez wanted a multi-year contract, which the Phillies gave him in December. Perhaps Ibanez has more production in his bat yet, but beware that the end often comes quickly and the drop-off steep. The change in ballparks will help mask that decline.

2008

Coming off a career year, Ibanez entered 2007 a classic bust candidate. In his mid 30's, he seemed more likely to revert to his career norms than approach his career highs again. And for four months that was the case, and worse. Leg injuries sapped his power and a shoulder injury prevented him from extending his bat through the strike zone. By July 31, Ibanez was hitting .253 with a .695 OPS and six homers. Things turned around, though, once he got healthy and shortened his stride. And in the final two months, he went .357/.423/.634 for a 1.057 OPS and 15 homers. Don't get too excited, though. It's not likely that Ibanez A) survives the season uninjured or that B) when healthy hits as well as he did during last season's career-best two-month stretch. Plus, Ibanez still can't hit lefties (.650 OPS, two HR, 11 XBH) and could platoon this season if things get too bad.

2007

Ibanez had a career-year in 2006, setting personal highs in homers, RBI, runs scored and hits. Taking advantage of Safeco Field where the ball carries to right field, Ibanez was one of just three regulars (all lefties) who hit better at home than on the road, hitting one more homer and seven more doubles at home than on the road in 44 fewer at-bats. Ibanez was a cheap source of production last year—his .869 OPS tied for sixth-best among American League outfielders. But don't overpay for those stats this year. Ibanez will be 35 in June and he's more likely to fall back to his career norms than exceed last year's numbers.

2006

After an .828 OPS in the first half last season, Ibanez cooled after the All-Star break, finishing with a .792 OPS and 20 homers. Ibanez will move back to left field this year as the Mariners signed designated hitter Carl Everett, which increases his risk of injury. But assuming he stays healthy, Ibanez should be a cheap source of production. He'll likely again take advantage of Safeco Field, where the ball carries to right, to be one of the few Mariners who post equitable home and road numbers.

2005

Ibanez missed all but two games of June last season with a hamstring injury and needed most of July to regain his stroke. But after July 30 he hit .359, slugged .498 and had an .398 OBP. He took advantage of Safeco Field, where the ball carries to right, to be one of the few Mariners who posted equitable home and road numbers. Assuming he avoids injury, Ibanez could exceed expectations.

2004

Ibanez was a solid gamer for the Royals and turned into a legitimate offensive threat during his three years. His power numbers dropped off last year but his compact swing and solid defense make him valuable. Seattle could do worse than to sign a corner outfielder who hits .290 with 20 home runs.

2003

Everyone had this guy pegged wrong. He looked like a fourth outfielder who wouldn't hurt you too much entering 2002. At the end, he looked like a staple in the Royals' lineup for the next few years. He earned career highs in average (.293), doubles (37), home runs (24), runs (70) and RBIs (103). If he had a struggle, it was against lefties, who when he faced them he hit just one of his home runs and walked just twice.