Royals sign Raul Ibanez

The Royals have reportedly signed outfielder Raul Ibanez to a major league deal for the league minimum. Ibanez was released by the Angels on June 21 after hitting .157/.258/.265 in 57 games. He had signed a one year $2.75 million deal with the Angels, who are still paying him that money, less the minimum salary the Royals are paying him. The 42-year old Ibanez is a nineteen year MLB veteran who has hit .273/.336/.467 with 303 career home runs. He spent 2001-2003 with the Royals and had his best season in 2002 when he hit .294/.346/.537 with 24 HR 103 RBI. Ibanez did slam 29 home runs last year at the age of 41 for the Mariners, but had struggled mightily this year for the Angels.

They have also reportedly promoted infielder and former first round pick Christian Colon from AAA Omaha and designated for assignment OF Justin Maxwell and IF Pedro Ciriaco. Colon was the fourth overall pick in the 2010 draft out of Cal-State Fullerton, but has had a largely disappointing minor league career. The twenty-five year old right-handed hitter had a line of .296/.360/.384 with 4 HR 37 RBI in Omaha with 14 steals.

Maxwell had struggled in his return to Kansas City after a demotion to the minors on May 16. In 45 plate appearances this year, Maxwell was hitting .150/.222/.175 with just one extra base hit. The 30-year old hit .268/.351/.505 in 35 games for the Royals in 2013 after being acquired for pitcher Kyle Smith.