Evaluate: Raul Ibanez

[Porter]

What should be his role in 2006?

[MarinersFan87]

Oh yeah. Here is my write up:

Credentials:

• 36th round pick in the 1992 draft by the Seattle Mariners.
• Became full time starter in KC, but was brought to Seattle prior to the 2004 season.
• Played 9 years, with only 2 teams, holding a .283 BA and a .338 OBP with 85 HR's.

The Numbers:
.284/.356/.450; Has held down both the number 5 and 3 spots in the lineup reasonably well. One of the few guys that has hit better in Safeco, which is a good sign, but the majority of his power comes on the road. Had a hot June/July, but has cooled down recently in August. His 17 HR's and 72 RBI's both rank 3rd on the team.

Analysis:
Defense: Average. In all aspects. Is getting up there in age, so his speed affects his range, and his arm is just average. Can hold down the LF spot decently, but is much more suited to be a DH at this point in his career.

Offense: Is your prototypical 3rd power hitter, a guy that fits nicely as the 5th or 6th hitter in a lineup. The struggles of the Mariners' offense this year is certainly not his fault, he has done what he is asked. At 33 years old and making almost $5 million a year he better be able to post these sorts of numbers again next year if he is brought back.

Having him in LF allows the M's to go out and get a LH power hitter, having him at the DH position cuts down on the M's FA options. Having both Ibanez and a guy like Brian Giles in the lineup would be ideal. Although if Bucky is healthy, the saved money sure would be nice in trying to acquire SP and RP. Vote it up.

[MarinersFan87]

I voted starting LF by the way. This way it gives us as many options as possible in terms of signing FA's. But, if we find a guy who is better in LF defensively than Raul and carries good power and a high OBP, then I'm all for Raul going back to his DH position.

[Porter]

Ibanez is one of the best LFs that Seattle's ever had....and thats not saying too much considering whos been there. I agree with MF on the LF option. It would be better to get a bat as a DH then LF. Snelling or Bucky are injury prone and Morse isnt the answer.