World Champion Phillies Upgrade Already Dominant Lineup
When the Phillies did not resign slugger Pat Burrell this offseason, it seemed that they were taking a major hit to their lineup as he went packing. Little did Philly fans know that a better option was coming. The Phillies simply went out and signed free agent left fielder Raul Ibanez. Who? Raul Ibanez people! This slugger is an upgrade on a number of fronts for the Champs and Philly fans are about to see that this year.
Raul Ibanez has toiled away in the shadows of other great players and quietly put together some fantastic numbers. Ibanez put up some serious numbers in Seattle last season batting .293 with 23 bombs and 110 RBI. Those power numbers are not quite on the level of Burrell’s 33 bombs, but Ibanez will see an increase in his homers in this ballpark. Figure also that you are getting a better on base percentage, and better average with Ibanez, and you start to see the value. Burrell also would strike out at a rate that is nearly double that of Ibanez. That certainly translates into runs for the Phillies.
While the offensive side is likely to come to a push, the defensive side is another story. The defensive liabilities of Burrell were widely reported, and Ibanez is a talented fielder as well as hitter. The Phillies should be much more secure defensively with Ibanez patrolling the corner. That said, Ibanez over Burrell is certainly not far fetched.
Ibanez has spent a career being mostly unknown, and does not seem to mind. This might be the year that everybody learns who he is. The Phillies are sure to give him the stage with the talent and strength of this team. They seem highly likely to reach the playoffs again this season, and Ibanez could get the opportunity to be appreciated outside of his own team circle and fans. Baseball is like that. You can star for a team that is out of the spotlight for years and barely get a nod, and then move to a powerhouse and explode onto the scene.
Either way, the Phillies are likely to be smiling all the way to the National League playoffs. The Phillies are loaded from top to bottom, and they have the pitching to back up all this offense that everybody is talking about. Also, the Phillies are finally going into a season healthy. Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Werth, and Ryan Howard are all healthy and ready, as well as the pitching staff. That will be a new experience for the Phillies in comparison to recent years.
Sort of like Raul Ibanez.
