With Spring Training in full-swing the New York Yankees bolstered their roster for the 2012 season, by inking Raul Ibanez to a one-year 1.1 million contract on Tuesday. The left-handed hitter will serve as a designated-hitter, which is a vacant position in the Bombers line-up.

Ibanez played 134 games in left field for the Philadelphia Phillies, batting .245 with 20 homers and 84 RBIs in 144 games.  The 16-year-veteran is considered a good clubhouse presence, as his leadership skills helped to lead the Phillies to several Championship banner seasons, including a World Series in 2008.

The Bombers also announced earlier this week that righty A.J. Burnett has been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, as the Yankees will receive two Minor Leaguers in exchange for the 35-year-old starter. In return New York will get righty reliever Diego Moreno and outfielder Exicardo Cayones.

Burnett’s three-year tenure in the Bronx was a tough one, after back-to-back disappointing seasons in the Bronx. When A.J. first came to New York, the started helped lift the Yankees to the World Series in 2009, posting 13 victories, had a far fall from grace with the fans in New York.

A.J. career in Pinstripes ends with a 34-35 record and a 4.79 ERA, after singing an $82.5 contract prior to the 2009 season. Pittsburgh will now have to pay $13 million of the remaining $33 million owed to Burnett through 2013.

Moreno and Cayones are expected to report to the Yankees’ Minor League camp this spring, as Moreno has a power- arm, who hopes to one day bolster the Bombers bull-pen.  Cayones is a lefty-batter, who had a .210 average between Class A Short-Season State College Spikes (NY-Penn League) and the Gulf Coast League Pirates.

Written on February 21, 2012