The Phillies have announced that outfielder Raul Ibanez has been signed to a 3 year, 30 million dollar contract.  This means that Pat Burrell’s days in Philly are done.  No word yet on where Burrell will land, but it won’t be with the Phillies.  In Ruben Amaro Jr.’s quest to make the face of the Phillies older & homelier, here is just one more step in that direction!  Just kidding J  Although you have to wonder how many female Phillies fans were crying in their Cheerios this morning?  Pat will be missed L

As for Ibanez, he is a very consistent hitter and hopefully, will produce like he did last season.  With the Mariners he hit .293 with 23 homers and 110 RBI.  He is a lifetime .286 hitter and a 12 year veteran.  Ibanez is also 36 years old.  This begs the question, huh???  We wouldn’t give three years, or even two apparently, to Burrell and he is only 32 years old.  Ibanez is also left-handed.  This leaves only Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino (switch-hitter) as right-handed bats in the starting line-up.  That makes things a lot easier on opponents facing the Phillies.  You have to hope there is a master plan at work here and that Amaro has more in the works.

In other news, Cole Hamels was caught running his mouth yesterday on the WFAN radio show.  The announcer baited him into calling the Mets “choke artists” and told a very amusing story about Shane Victorino.  Hamels said he and teammates chastised Victorino for showboating after he hit the Grand Slam against the Brewers.  They hung a sign in his locker that said “J.Reyes?” comparing him to Jose Reyes who is notorious for showing up opposing teams on the base paths.  Listen to the interview HERE.

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