Yanks land DH Ibanez

Los Angeles Angels' Albert Pujols puts some balls away after taking batting practice during a spring training baseball workout, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

NEW YORK — A day after trading A.J. Burnett, the New York Yankees used some of the salary they saved to add Raul Ibanez as their left-handed designated hitter.
Ibanez and the Yankees agreed to a $1.1 million, one-year contract, a person familiar the negotiations said Monday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical. It includes $2.9 million in performance bonuses.
Ibanez is a 39-year-old outfielder who played with Philadelphia the last three seasons and hit .245 last year with 20 homers and 84 RBIs.
With a swing that seems tailored to the short right field at Yankee Stadium, Ibanez is expected to be the Yankees' primary designated hitter against right-handed starting pitchers. New York decided on him over Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, who also are free agents.
The agreement came one day after the Yankees traded Burnett to Pittsburgh, a deal in which the Pirates pay $5 million of the pitcher's salary this year and $8 million in 2013.
New York also has an offer out to re-sign backup infielder Eric Chavez.
Angels: Decked out in Angels' gear from head to toe, Albert Pujols looked like the same slugger whose swing in St. Louis became as symbolic as the Gateway Arch. Arriving for spring training more than a week earlier than required, Pujols reported to training camp Monday with the Los Angeles Angels, who will pay the three-time NL MVP $240 million over the next 10 years. Although only the Angels' pitchers and catchers had to be at camp this early, Pujols wanted to be there from Day One as well.
Red Sox: Manager Bobby Valentine says the Red Sox will take the team bus to away games once the exhibitions begin. It's common around the majors for star players to drive themselves to spring training road games, mostly so they can get a fast start home after playing a few innings. Valentine says there might be exceptions to the new rule, but for the most part, the players will be on the bus.
Athletics: Manny Ramirez and the Oakland Athletics have reached agreement on a minor league contract. Ramirez is expected to report to spring training by the end of the week. He is due to serve a 50-game suspension for his second positive drug test before he can play for the A's. Barring rainouts, his first game could be May 30 — on his 40th birthday. 


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