Geoff Baker, of The Seattle Times, reports the Seattle Mariners have no immediate plans to re-sign OF Raul Ibanez, according to general manager Jack Zduriencik. However, if the team ends up signing him, it would likely be for a one-year deal.
Of the three veteran Mariners eligible for salary arbitration, Ibanez is the only one ranked by the Elias Sports Bureau and therefore subject to the free-agent compensation rules. "With the deadline tonight, offering Raul arbitration keeps all of our options open," general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "We can continue our conversations with any, or all, of our free agents, but, by rule, we had to offer Raul arbitration by today to guarantee we could receive Draft-pick compensation if he ends up signing elsewhere."
News: Raul Ibanez was offered salary arbitration Monday by the Mariners, a move that means Seattle would receive an extra pair of draft picks next year if the free-agent outfielder signs with another team. Seattle did not offer arbitration to its other former players who became free agents: utilitymen Willie Bloomquist and Miguel Cairo. Ibanez has until Sunday to accept the offer. Under a change in baseball's rules that began in 2006, free agents can re-sign with their former clubs at any time. Ibanez said at the end of the season he liked Seattle but wanted to win and was likely to explore offers from other teams.
Analysis: The 36-year-old Ibanez was fifth in the AL with 110 RBI while playing in all 162 games last season. Consider him a productive veteran outfielder to pick up in the middle rounds after the elite names are off the board at the position. Bloomquist and Cairo are nothing more than reserves in the majors at this point in their careers and can be ignore in all Fantasy drafts right now
The Mariners have offered arbitration to free agent Raul Ibanez. Ibanez will get a multiyear deal from some team, so there's no chance that he'll accept arbitration. The Mariners will pick up two draft picks if he leaves.Source: Seattle Times
Larry LaRue, of The Tacoma News Tribune, reports the Seattle Mariners offered free-agent OF Raul Ibanez (Mariners) salary arbitration Monday, Dec. 1. He will now have one week to accept or decline the offer.
None.