Comments on: Phillies Rumors: Thursday Winter Meetings Updates

By: J Dubbz

J Dubbz — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:51:43 +0000

This is hands down the best and most intelligent Philadelphia sports site out there. The well written articles followed by the reader participation make it second to none.

By: Stu

Stu — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:47:56 +0000

Pete, your loyal readership is taking over this site in the comments section.

By: Pete

Pete — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:39:38 +0000

working on a post about Ibanez now, should be up soon.

By: J Dubbz

J Dubbz — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:23:54 +0000

You are exactly right there. Its truely the .290-.300 batting average I am excited about. If this guy can keep that up over the next 3 years, he may have his career years here in Philadelphia with this lineup. Very pleased with this pickup thus far as he seems like a real standup kind of guy. No a head case like Milton Bradley or Manny would have been. Just a hard working professional hitter.

By: bski

bski — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:18:54 +0000

J Dubbz….I think you hit on it. More consistency from Ibanez over Burrell is what I’m looking for. Those offensive swoons that last for weeks are killer. I don’t know that it’s as much about clutch, though.

We can look at Burrell’s 90-ish RBI numbers and feel that he should have given us more, but there are a couple things to consider. First, hitting behind a guy who is driving in 140+ every year leaves fewer ducks on the pond for Burrell to get home. Second, coming out for a late-inning defensive replacement has robbed Burrell of numerous at-bats and RBI opportunities.

By: J Dubbz

J Dubbz — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:10:04 +0000

I like this guy already. Better work ethic than Burrell who’s offseason training was smoking Parliaments at the Irish Pub 5-6 sessions per week.

By: bski

bski — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:09:13 +0000

Thanks, sfw. Believe it or not, I just found it myself. It drives me nuts when I can’t remember/find something. I wasn’t going to give up until I found it.

One very interesting thing I took from this article is that he talks with Edgar Martinez (as well as Royals hitting coach, Kevin Seitzer, and Chili Davis) a lot about hitting.

Here’s a quote from Martinez:

“Edgar (Martinez) is one of the guys I called when I turned 35,” Ibanez says. “I said, ‘Edgar, what is the deal with everyone talking about turning 35? I don’t feel anything. I feel great.’
“In Edgar’s super-wise way, he said, ‘The guys who hit 35 and decline are the ones who don’t work as hard as we do.’ He said, ‘To me, major-league prime is 34 to 38. That’s when I put up my best years.’”
“I happen to be turning 37. I don’t know if he looked at the media guide and said, ‘I’ll make this guy feel good.’ But I thought, ‘This guy rocks.’”
Man would I love to have Edgar Martinez as our hitting coach. He could flat out rake.

By: sfw

sfw — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:57:09 +0000

Think we got a winner! Here's the article. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/87757-ibanez-more-intense-than-most-about-training

By: J Dubbz

J Dubbz — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:54:13 +0000

Gotcha. Seems like a good investment for the team. Losing about 10 HRs per year and gaining about 40 batting average points. And who knows, Ibanez may hit 30+ HRs in CBP? Just more of a consistent hitter and more clutch than Burrell, which is exactly what we need in that 5 hole.

By: Stu

Stu — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:36:53 +0000

You have to consider that Ibanez is not a traditional lefty hitter in that I believe that he batted over .300 last season against LHP. I think you stick him right into Burrell’s old spot with Werth and Victorino flip-flopping between 2nd and 6th in the order. Ibanez is capable of being an RBI machine and will be protection behind Howard.

L/R Rollins
R Werth
L Utley
L Howard
L Ibanez
L/R Victorino
R Feliz
R Ruiz