Former Phillies LF Raul Ibanez Signs One-Year Deal With Yankees

Posted by Erik Seybold

Photo Courtesy of Michael B. LeSage.

As numerous rumors recently hinted, it has been confirmed. The New York Yankees have signed former-Phillie Raul Ibanez to a one-year, $1.1MM deal. Ibanez will serve as the designated hitter for the Yankees.

The 39 year-old Ibanez is returning to the American League after three seasons in the National League with the Phillies. Ibanez signed a three-year, $31.5MM deal with the Phillies in 2008. In three seasons in a Phillies' uniform, Ibanez collected a .264 batting average, a total of 70 home runs, and 260 RBI. Last season

Initially, word that Ibanez could be signed by the Yankees came at the same time that the Yankees were shipping out A.J. Burnett to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The unison of "Rauuuuuuul!" chants that used to fill Citizens Bank Park everytime Ibanez hit a home run or came through in the clutch will be missed, but his time is up and he's moving on.

Erik Seybold is a Contributor for Philliedelphia. You can follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.