Ibanez leaves M’s for Phillies

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies reached a preliminary agreement with Raul Ibanez on a $31.5 million, three-year contract.

The agreement is subject to Ibanez passing a physical, two people familiar with negotiations said Friday, speaking to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract was not yet finalized.

Ibanez, 36, who takes over in left field from Pat Burrell, batted .293 last season for Seattle with 43 doubles, 23 home runs and 110 RBIs.

A left-handed hitter, Ibanez batted .305 against lefty pitchers last season and .288 against righties.

He was selected by the Mariners in the 36th round of the 1992 amateur draft and was signed by the Kansas City Royals as a free agent before the 2001 season. He returned to the Mariners in 2004.

Ibanez drove in 100 or more runs during each of the last three seasons in Seattle.

Ibanez’s agreement was first reported by ESPN.com.