The Departed Don't Match Up

It is no secret that, right now, Raul Ibanez is making the Phillies look very smart. The Phils' phormer left fielder, Pat Burrell, is struggling in Tampa with a .238 batting average, 1 homer and 8 RBI, 6 runs scored with a .681 OPS. The new left fielder, Ibanez, is GD wrecking opposing pitchers with a .355 batting average, 7 homers, 17 RBI, 20 runs scores and a 1.142 OPS. Furthermore, Burrell's new club, the Rays, are 3-4 when Burrell drives in at least one run. Our Phillies are 9-2 when Ibanez has at least 1 RBI. Also, Burrell has hit safely in 12 of the Rays' 19 games, while Raul has hit in 16 of the Phillies 19 games.

There's no debate, at this stage, that the Phillies made the right call when they let Burrell go, and signed Ibanez to man left field. Hopefully, this will hold true throughout the rest of the season, all the way into the post season. Trends would perhaps suggest that Ibanez will cool off soon, as his career batting average in May is 45 points lower than in April (.293 career April avg. in 213 games, .248 career May avg. in 215 games). His drop off in career OPS in those same months is even more drastic- .844 in April, .713 in May. But, don't you fear, as Rauuuuul's career June OPS is .900 (his best month) in 193 career games. The bald basher bounces back, baby.

Ahead, we'll have a look around Major League Baseball and check out some departed Phillies' offensive statistics, so far this season, matched against the current Phillie in his position.

Aaron Rowand, CF- 17 games played, .283, .819 OPS, 2 homers, 9 RBI, 6 runs, 0 steals.

Marlon Byrd, CF- 15 games played, .328 avg, .858 OPS, 2 homers, 13 RBI, 8 runs, 0 steals.

Shane Victorino, CF- 19 games played, .291 avg, .800 OPS, 2 Homers, 14 RBI, 15 runs, 3 steals.

Jim Thome, 1B(/DH)- 15 games played, .218 avg, .772 OPS, 4 homers, 10 RBI, 11 runs.
Ryan Howard, 1B- 19 games played, .276 avg, .887 OPS, 4 homers, 15 RBI, 12 runs.

Placido Polanco, 2B- 19 games played, .268 avg, .725 OPS, 0 homers, 13 RBI, 9 runs, 0 steals.

Chase Utley, 2B- 19 games played, .357 avg, 1.142 OPS, 7 homers, 20 RBI, 18 runs, 2 steals.

Scott Rolen, 3B- 20 games played, .321 avg, .808 OPS, 2 homers, 8 RBI, 11 runs, 1 steal.

Pedro Feliz, 3B- 19 games played, .333 avg, .889 OPS, 2 homers, 14 RBI, 10 runs, 0 steals.

Bobby Abreu, RF- 19 games played, .301 avg, .864 OPS, 0 homers, 12 RBI, 9 runs, 8 steals.

Jayson Werth, RF- 18 games played, .261 avg, .827 OPS, 2 homers, 10 RBI, 15 runs, 2 steals.

The only position where the advantage goes to a former Phillie, is right field. Abreu appears to be more productive than Werth, so far in April. Center field performance is debatable, as Marlon Byrd is doing well this year, but Shane bests him with runs, steals and RBI. All other comparisons are easily won by the current P-Squaders.

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