Philadelphia Phillies' Raul Ibanez follows through on a two-run single in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Sunday, July 10, 2011, in Philadelphia. At right is Braves catcher Brian McCann. The Phillies won 14-1. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (AP2011)
The New York Yankees have signed free agent Raúl Ibañez to be their next designated hitter, ESPN’s Buster Olney is reporting.
Ibañez played for the Philadelphia Phillies last season.
Late last week the Yankees, who made designated hitter their top priority after Jorge Posada retired, closed the door on former Yankee and Boston Red Sox Johnny Damonreturning. Instead, they zeroed in on Ibañez.
The Yankees had put the signing on hold until after the A.J. Burnett trade to the Pittsburgh Pirates was complete to free up enough money to sign Ibañez.
Burnett Traded to Pirates for Prospects
Last season Ibañez, 39, batted .245 with 20 home runs.
He’s expected to be the primary DH "platooning" with Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, who will get day days off from fielding.
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