GM Jerry DiPoto gave struggling Raul Ibanez (DH/OF, LAA) a vote of confidence in late May, and then backed it up by demoting hot-hitting Grant Green (OF/2B, LAA) early June, thereby preserving Ibanez' roster spot. But the 42-year-old Ibanez is not only showing zero sign of emerging from a season long funk (.146 BA/.215 xBA, 3 HR over 158 AB), but he's not even a sure lineup bet vs. RHPs any more. LAA's other needs say that they can't afford to carry Ibanez for much longer, and his 1yr $2.75/m contract make him an easy goodbye—which barring an abrupt turn around or well-timed DL stint, should occur before the July 4 weekend.
C.J. Cron (DH/1B) would be the immediate beneficiary of an Ibanez departure,...
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