Rational says it's virtually impossible to decide who the best free agent signing of all-time is. Different players add different things to different teams, and there have been a ton of incredible free agents that have helped propel teams to success.
Having said that, Raul Ibanez is without a doubt the best free agent signing ever this year, and definitely the best free agent the Phillies have signed in my lifetime. Jim Thome was nice, but I don't remember him hitting this many important dongs this early in his tenure. Because he didn't.
Last night, it looked like old man Moyer was going to get rocked, but he somehow held the Mets to just 3 runs, allowing the Phils to come back like they inevitably do, and then Raul, who was wearing an 0-for-4 collar on the night, stepped to the plate with two on and two out in the 10th. And even though Raul had struck out twice and not had a very good night at the dish, there wasn't another Phillie I'd rather have up in that situation (OK, maybe Chase). Raul did not disappoint, giving the Phils the 6-3 win to take two of three from the Mets.
Ibanez's numbers are staggering: In 58 games, the guy is batting .322 with a .377 on-base percentage, .674 slugging percentage, 1.051 OPS, 49 runs, 75 hits, 15 doubles, 2 triples, 21 home runs and 58 RBIs. Those are MVP-type numbers for sure, and as of right now, he's got to be considered the favorite.
But it's not just Ibanez's offense that has been so impressive. All everyone heard about the signing was how Ibanez is not only old and left-handed, but a liability in the field. This season, he's been anything but that, playing tremendous defense and showing off an arm that most left fielders in baseball would be jealous of. Just ask David Wright.
If anyone tries to tell you their team made a better free agent pickup than Raul, laugh in their face and call them chokers. Because they are most likely from New York. Fuck Francisco Rodriguez (OK, he's been awesome, too). Fuck A.J. Burnett and CC Sabathia and Tex. Raul is the best free agent signing ever this year.
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