Hafner’s offensive numbers far exceed Ibanez’s over their careers (135 wRC+ vs. 111 wRC+), and the same holds true when you look at their abilities against right-handed pitching — particularly in recent years:
vs. RHP over past three seasons:
Hafner: .270/.385/.470 — .371 wOBA, 136 wRC+
Ibanez: .261/.332/.461 — .340 wOBA, 111 wRC+
And as we noted in early January, when we pushed for the Yankees to sign him, he cannot be as easily LOOGY’d as Voldemort was.
Extra, Extra! Read all about it! Yanks finally attempt to improve team!
2 Comments
Danny February 3, 2013 06:23
Don’t put Ibanez down. Hafner may have better numbers, but Ibanez will live forever in Yankee lore after one of the most amazing playoff performances in baseball history. I hope Hafner does well too, but I will forever be grateful to Raul for that performance. Are you kidding me? “Hey Raul, go up there and pinch hit for A-rod and save us” says Girardi. And not only does he do it once, but he does it twice, in the same game. I don’t care what his stats are. That was one of the most amazing pressure performances ever! Nothing against Travis, but stats mean nothing in the playoffs, as we’ve seen all too well in recent years.
Tony Bosch February 4, 2013 20:25
Hafner hasn’t been good in 5 years, and Ibanez was toast until he walked into a few at the end of the season, please.. I think Cashman has lost his mind. Why wasn’t he in on Johnathan Sanchez?