New York Yankees' 2012 Season Outlook: Raul Ibanez

Throughout this offseason, the Yankees have been searching for a left-handed designated hitter with some power.

They have considered players like Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, however they have decided to sign Raul Ibanez. Ibanez has been in the league for 16 seasons and has put together a solid career.

The Yankees hope that Ibanez can put together one more strong season in 2012. Here is a look at his 2012 season outlook.

History

Raul Ibanez made his MLB debut in 1996 with the Seattle Mariners. Early on in his career he struggled to find consistent playing time. He spent the first five seasons with the Mariners.

Ibanez's stats with Seattle (first stint):

Total: 231 games, .241 AVG, 14 HR,  58 RBI

Average: 46 games, .241 AVG, 3 HR, 12 RBI

He was signed by the Kansas City Royals in 2001. He finally played a full season in the majors, in his second season with the Royals. 

Ibanez's stats with Kansas City:

Total: 398 games, .291 AVG, 55 HR,  247 RBI

Average: 133 games, .291 AVG, 18 HR, 82 RBI

Ibanez spent three seasons with the Royals before returning to the Mariners in 2004. He spent five more seasons in Seattle.

Ibanez's stats with Seattle (second stint):

Total: 755 games, .291 AVG, 113 HR,  489 RBI

Average: 151 games, .291 AVG, 23 HR, 98 RBI

He spent his last three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Ibanez's stats with Philadelphia:

Total: 433 games, .264 AVG, 70 HR,  260 RBI

Average: 144 games, .264 AVG, 23 HR, 87 RBI

Health

Over the last 10 seasons, Ibanez has averaged 148 games per season. Aside from minor bumps and bruises that come along with a long MLB season, Ibanez has been able to stay relatively healthy.

As the DH, Ibanez chances of getting injured drop. However as he creeps closer to 40 years old, there's always a chance that age will play a factor in his health.

Monthly Predictions for 2012

Raul Ibanez will get off to an early start as the change of scenery and short porch in Yankee Stadium's left field will help.

However he will come down to earth a little bit for the rest of the season. Expect him to miss some time with small nagging injuries however nothing significant as the DH role is not very demanding.

The DH role will give the seasoned veteran more rest than he has had as an everyday outfielder. However, he will not get as many at-bats as Andrew Jones will most likely take some away against left-handed pitchers.

March/April 13

Totals: .274 AVG, 32 HR, 135 RBI

Average: .274 AVG, 2.46 HR, 10.38 RBI

2012 Prediction: .284 AVG, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 74 AB, 21 H

May 13

Totals: .264 AVG, 38 HR, 163 RBI

Average: .264 AVG, 2.93 HR, 12.54 RBI

2012 Prediction: .253 AVG, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 89 AB, 23 H

June 13

Totals: .287 AVG, 41 HR, 170 RBI

Average: .287 AVG, 3.15 HR, 13.08 RBI

2012 Prediction: .276 AVG, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 87 AB, 22 H

July 13

Totals: .280 AVG, 49 HR, 197 RBI

Average: .280 AVG, 3.77 HR, 15.15 RBI

2012 Prediction: .247 AVG, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 81 AB, 20 H

August 16

Totals: .282 AVG, 48 HR, 202 RBI

Average: .282 AVG, 3 HR, 12.63 RBI

2012 Prediction: .250 AVG, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 80 AB, 20 H

September/October 15

Totals: .292 AVG, 44 HR, 187 RBI

Average: .292 AVG, 2.93 HR, 12.47 RBI

2012 Prediction: .282 AVG, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 85 AB, 24 H

Overall 2012 Prediction:

.262 AVG, 22 HR, 83 RBI, 496 AB, 130 H

Awards and Accomplishments

In his 16 seasons, Ibanez has never won a World Series. His addition to the Yankees makes them a a more complete team and an early favorite to win the World Series.

He will most likely not be an All-Star or a candidate for AL MVP. However, a World Series ring is probably most important to Ibanez.

He should come close to 275 career HR's and eclipse 1100 career RBI's this season. He currently has 928 career runs. With the Yankees he should come close to scoring enough runs to get his 1000th career run scored.

If you enjoyed this, I have completed 2012 outlook's on the following Yankees CC Sabathia, Nick Swisher, Mark Teixeira, Ivan Nova, Curtis Granderson and Mariano Rivera,