Raul Ibañez was a Phillies fan favorite during his three years in Philadelphia. Since leaving the Phillies, Ibañez has spent three seasons in the American League with the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Kansas City Royals. Ibañez had strong seasons in 2012 and 2013, but 2014 represented a significant drop off; Ibañez batted just .167 and was left off of the Royals' postseason roster. But, Ibañez was there in uniform showing his leadership to young players. Could that translate to a Major League manager job?
The Tampa Bay Rays released a list of names to be considered for their managerial vacancy, and Ibañez is on the list. ESPN Reports:
Bench coach Dave Martinez and longtime major league player Raul Ibañez are among eight candidates on the preliminary list the Tampa Bay Rays are considering for their next manager.
President of baseball operations Matt Silverman released what he described Thursday as a preliminary list of possibilities. Others include former Washington and Cleveland manager Manny Acta, Milwaukee special assistant Craig Counsell, minor league manager Charlie Montoyo, Giants bench coach Ron Wotus, former Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu and Indians coach Kevin Cash.
With former major league managers Don Wakamatsu and Manny Acta on the list, it is interesting ESPN would lead a headline with him.
Ibañez has no ties to Tampa Bay directly; his career was spent with the Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, and the Phillies, with short stops in New York and Anaheim. The tie to the Rays is somewhat unclear; Rays President of Baseball Operations Matt Silverman has never known any other organization, nor has either Vice President, Erik Neander and Chain Bloom.
