Let me just start by saying this- Raul Ibanez is not a perfect fit in Philadelphia. He's another lefty, he really isn't much of an outfielder anymore, and he's another older player. He's also an older player who would take a one year deal, just had a reasonably productive (even if not great, 19 homers in a part-time role isn't bad.) season in New York, and would take less playing time.
Contrast this with the situation with Cody Ross. He seems to want multiple years, I'm guessing three, would probably require a nice pay raise on his $3 million salary last year. Ross will be 32 years old this year. He did hit 22 homers and drive in 81 RBI's this past season.
Ross is not a bad player, and signing him will not mean the Phillies stink this year. I just wonder that the Phillies will be stuck with a player they don't need, and can improve on, going forward if they sign Ross. I wonder how much guarantee he really offers the Phillies over going into the season with Darin Ruf and Dom Brown on the corners? Even if he is an upgrade over them, which is probable on paper right now, would not guaranteeing him a contract force the Phillies to either dump him for little (and pay him to play elsewhere) or pass on potential better players available in the coming years? Ross is a nice player, not a great one, and i'm just not sure that's worth the commitment.
Re-enter Raul Ibanez. One year, a million or two dollars, and a platoon spot in left with Ruf seems to make more sense with me. Sure, it does create a six outfielder crunch in numbers that could force them to consider Nix as the "second infielder" and send down Galvis early on. That's not ideal, but neither is sending Ruf to AAA if you sign Ross. After the season, you can part ways with Ibanez, or for that matter you could during the year pretty painlessly if it doesn't work out. If Ruf continues to break out with his bat and plays his way into the job, Ibanez simply sits the bench, something I think he's fine with at 40 years old.
I'm not sold on either of these options, nor am I sold on anyone else on the market, especially Nick Swisher. If the Phillies make a move, I'd love to see it be for someone younger with upside, like a Peter Bourjos, however I do realize how difficult that could be. I just think if the Phillies feel they must add a veteran corner outfielder for opening day, I'd actually prefer it be a part-timer like Raul to a full-timer like Ross, or worse yet, a wannabe full-timer who belongs on the bench. Save the money, try the youth, and see what you have. I would be totally fine starting the year with Ruf in left, Revere in center, and Brown in right.
