Yankees News and Rumors: Mariners ready to steal Ibanez?

According to the New York Post, the Seattle Mariners are ready to swipe Raul Ibanez right out from underneath the New York Yankees.

Will the Yankees lose Raul Ibanez to the Seattle Mariners? (Image: Noah K. Murray/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports)

Ibanez has long been on the Yankees agenda, but at the far end of it. The Mariners on the other hand are treating Ibanez more like a priority with the possibility of making former Yankee Jesus Montero their everyday catcher.

Ibanez has played for Seattle on two separate occasions; 1996 – 2000 and 2004 -2008.

The Yankees may be placing more of an emphasis on finding a right-handed hitting outfielder before they settle on the left side of a platoon.

As has been the case for several weeks, Scott Hairston is the popular option for the Yankees but he has garnered interest from the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets, who he played for in 2012. Each of those teams may be willing to give Hairston a mulityear deal which is something he is interested in. The Yankees have been hesitant to do so with anyone this offseason.

Yankees passed completely on Pierzynski

Once again, the Yankees interest in a player got no further than that. The Yankees never made an offer to A.J. Pierzynski, who signed with the Texas Rangers for one-year, $7 million. Cashman has indicated several times now, and there seems to be no other option, his catchers are on the Yankees 40-man roster.

According to Christian Red of the New York Daily News, the Yankees were “never on him,” meaning Pierzynski, and the Yankees were set to “go with their guys.”

So, there will be a three-way competition it seems between Francisco Cervelli, Chris Stewart and Austin Romine for both the starting and backup catcher roles.

Other Yankees Items of Note

• The Yankees were also not in on Francisco Liriano, who signed with the Pirates for two-years, $12.75 million. The Yankees have shown interest in Liriano in the past. Cashman told the NY Daily News that they are not looking to upgrade the rotation.
• Alex Rodriguez received approval from the Yankees to use a physical therapist for his pre-surgery strengthening. The therapist works for the doctor who will perform Rodriguez’s surgery in mid-January.