Trade Target: Raul Ibañez

Wow. Isn't it amazing that Raul Ibañez is still playing baseball? He's 41 and still putting up production worthy of being a trade target to an NL team because he is still fielding too. That is impressive. What's more impressive is what he's doing with those stats. By now we all know that right field is a weakness for the Pirates so I'll just jump to those stats.

Like I said, Ibañez has found the fountain of youth. He's been dominating the game at 41 years of age. He was the Yankees playoff hero last year and is now just tearing it up for Seattle. The veteran has himself a slash of .257/.306/.564 for an unbelievable OPS of .870. He also adds 21, yes 21 HRs and 49 RBIs to that impressive list. This is the point if usually compare this year's stats to his career averages but nothing he's doing this season is average. In fact, most of his best years came when he was in his late 30s. He's like a fine wine that only gets better with age. You know what else gets even better? His stats with RISP, the Pirates big problem. You should take a seat before you read this. The 41 year old Ibañez is batting a ridiculous  .339/.393/.661 for an OPS of 1.054 (1. freaking 054!) with RISP. I'll use his career stats now to show that even if he doesn't keep that rate up, he usually hits well with RISP with an average slash of .296/.375/.496 for an OPS of .871. This is just unbelievable. These should be the stats I see for Alex Rios the way he's hyped. But this is Ibañez. You know another good thing about him? Because he's been around, he's a veteran clubhouse guy. I've heard so much about not wanting to disrupt the chemistry of the clubhouse and this guy won't do that god forbid he knocks Brandon Inge off of the roster. He even improves the bench as a successful pinch hitter and knocks a starter back there when he plays. So is there anything wrong with Ibañez whatsoever?

I would say he being a lefty hurts him but he's hitting lefties well this year and I think at this point the Pirates need a platoon partner for Jose Tabata, not Travis Snider. So the only issue for me is his age. Can a 41 year old continue these numbers? I have to think yes considering he's doing all of this at Safeco Park. That's a pitcher's ballpark. So coming to PNC would only help him hitting towards the Clemente Wall! The other things old guys come with is durability and injuries. He hasn't worn down yet so I have to like him still.

I can't say enough good things about Ibañez. His combination of hitting, power, hitting with RISP, defense, clubhouse leadership, and playoff leadership have to make him the absolutely perfect for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Can you think of anyone better? Plus, his salary isn't crazy high and the cost to get a 41 year old won't be that high on the market. So if the Mariners will concede that they're not contenders this year and they give Raul a chance at one more winner, you have to think the Pirates will get involved. I hope that while everyone else is chasing Alex Rios and trying to get Giancarlo Stanton from Miami, the Pirates will just swoop in and grab Raul and Neal Huntington can come out looking fresher than a daisy.

Tomorrow's trade target will be OF Alfonso Soriano