I have no doubt in my mind that the Yankees will have a new "lefty bat" addition within the next 48 hours. After Joe Girardi spoke out last week about his "want" and "need" to add a bat to the Yankees lineup before Spring Training, that seriously triggered talks between them and one of the 3 lefties considered...Raul Ibanez, Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui. The only reason why I believe Raul Ibanez may be the guy that will get signed isn't only because of this tweet came in from Ken Rosenthal HERE, because let's face it, he's sometimes wrong. Alot has to do with the wording from Girardi and the clever writing from Bryan Hoch. Girardi offered something he didn't have to:
"When you think about Raul Ibanez, he has had success wherever he has [gone]... "
Sure, that's bland, but couple that with what Bryan Hoch said in that story HERE when he wrote:"Girardi said that their history in pinstripes wouldn't necessarily give them an edge over Ibanez."
Those are the key words. That means to me that Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui probably aren't the guys this time. Joe didn't have to offer anything and he usually doesn't. He could have simply said "We're looking at guys and every single one is qualified to play in the Bronx." It almost seemed calculated.
Look, if the Yankees need a lefty and Raul Ibanez is the guy, so be it, the Yankees have improved this off season and now, everything we get is gravy as far as I'm concerned. I don't have any problem with Raul Ibanez. Many are not too excited about the idea of Ibanez in pinstripes, especially if that's the direction the Yankees are going in, but consider this; Ibanez cranked out 20 homers last year and had 84 RBIs. He can play the outfield corner positions to give Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher a rest once in a while. He can also be a DH and if he has at bats, he will perform...even at 39 years old. Sure, he doesn't run, but he also cranked out 31 doubles last year. That's always helpful with men on base.
Look, I'm going to be honest honest with you, I want Johnny Damon back in the Bronx, I really do. In fact, there is a story that says the Yankees still are talking to Johnny Damon but the reason they haven't pulled the trigger is because of his asking price. He wants $5 million. Read HERE. Raul Ibanez will demand less and that's a plus to the Yankees apparently. This may sound crazy, but I believe that right now the Yankees have moved on to Ibanez as a tactic for Damon to lower his price, and give them a call. This way the Yankees have 2 guys to negotiate with and Damon will most likely lower his price. Do I know that for a fact? No. But it's fun to think about.Look, when things get hot & heavy in Rumorville and everyone pounces on a story about the Yankees CLOSE to an agreement with Raul Ibanez, 9 times out of ten, it IS true. If I had to guess, I'd say 48 hours and we'll have a lefty bat whether that lefty bat is Raul Ibanez or Johnny Damon... well, we'll just have to see about that won't we?
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