Yankees Rumors: Raul Ibanez A Possibility At Designated Hitter?

Since the blockbuster trade of Jesus Montero to Seattle for pitcher Michael Pineda there has been a great deal of conjecture about how the Yankees would fill their designated hitter role in the 2012 season.

Several free agents expressed interest in the role, and some of those are still on the market.

One of those candidates is veteran left hitter Raul Ibanez, and the New York Post is reporting that the Yankees “have interest” in Ibanez, who will be 40 in June.

Ibanez hit just .245 with 20 home runs, 84 RBI and a .s89 OBP for Philadelphia last season, his worst year in more than a decade. Ibanez is a .280 lifetime hitter with a lifetime on-base percentage of .342. Ibanez has averaged 24 home runs and 100 RBI during the past six seasons.

The Yankees have also reportedly had discussions about free agents Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, as well as possibly using some of their surplus starting pitching to make a trade.