Ibanez, Phillies finalize $31.5 million, 3-year contract
Published 9:37 am Tuesday, December 16, 2008
PHILADELPHIA — Outfielder Raul Ibanez and the Philadelphia Phillies have finalized a $31.5 million, three-year contract.
The deal, agreed to on Friday, was subject to a physical and was announced Tuesday. Ibanez will take over in left field from Pat Burrell, who became a free agent.
The 36-year-old Ibanez hit .293 last season with 43 doubles, 23 home runs and 110 RBI with the Seattle Mariners. Ibanez adds yet another left-handed bat to the Phillies’ lineup behind Ryan Howard and Chase Utley.
Ibanez has a .286 career average with 182 home runs and 794 RBI for the Mariners and Kansas City Royals. He gets a $2 million signing bonus, payable this year, a $6.5 million salary next season and $11.5 million each in 2010 and 2011.
