Week Wrapup

It was a busy week for the Bombers, with a few additions to the roster, the position players reporting to camp, spring training is in full swing today with the full squad in Tampa.

Just to recap a few of the goings-on from this past week at George Steinbrenner Field in sunny Florida:

• Yankees add DH/OF Raul Ibanez

The team came to terms with the 39-year-old slugger on Tuesday on a 1-year, $1.1 million Major League deal.  With the addition, the team fills its need for a left-handed hitting power hitter for the designated hitter position.  It appears at this point that the DH spot will be rotated between Andruw Jones (righty) and Ibanez, depending on the opposing team's pitcher that day.  

Ibanez is a professional hitter, and brings his presence to an already potent lineup, filling a hole the team had for great value.  In 2011, Ibanez hit .245, but clubbed 20 homers, and 84 RBI in 535 at-bats for the Phillies.  While his batting average, and on base percentage, .289, may not be much to write home about, Citizens Bank Park is similar to Yankee Stadium in terms of its dimensions and the way it plays for left-handed hitters.  The production the Phillies got out of him certainly compensates for the subpar numbers. The Yankees should expect similar production out of Ibanez because he won't be playing in the field everyday, and he slides into a lineup that will certainly allow him to face more than a fair share of fastballs. That type of run production for the $1.1 million they signed him for could turn into another great bargain for Brian Cashman.

• Bringing back IF Eric Chavez

On Tuesday night, the team agreed to terms for a 1-year, $900,000 contract with Chavez.  After adding Ibanez to the fold, the only remaining hole in the offense was a backup corner infielder.  Last year that role was filled by Chavez, and they were able to bring him back for the 2012 campaign.  Before breaking a bone in his foot in May, Chavez hit .303/.410/.606 with 6 RBI in 33 at-bats.  Chavez adds flexibility to the roster as a 3B/1B, as well as a DH if need be.  With these two additions, it seems as though the 25-man roster is all but set (with the exception of 1 reliever), and it will be a very tough group to crack for a non-roster invitee.

• Adding RP David Aardsma to the fold

On Wednesday Aardsma and the Yankees came to terms on a 1-year, $500,000 deal, with a club option for 2013.  Aardsma is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and likely won't see the Majors until after the All-Star break, but this move points towards the future.  In 2009 and 2010, he was the closer for the Mariners, and amassed 69 combined saves in 78 opportunities.  If he is to make any impact in pinstripes, it'll likely be in 2013, and possibly beyond in a new-look bullpen should Mariano Rivera retire.  While Cashman denies that this move is a response to the speculated retirement, it sure seems that way.  Aardsma probably won't be the guy to replace Rivera, or even the 2nd or 3rd in line for that responsibility, but he's just another name to throw into the hat to add more depth to arguably the best bullpen in the game.

With the whole team in camp, and the roster virtually completed, we can finally begin to talk about baseball.

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Photo Credit: Corey Spinkin/New York Daily News