Infielder Andy Ibanez and the Detroit Tigers avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.4 million deal, according to sources. Ibanez gets a raise after earning $633,900 in his second year with Detroit in 2024. The 31-year-old veteran from Cuba wasn't quite as good this past season, though, slashing a very mediocre .241/.295/.357 with a below-average .652 OPS, only five home runs, 32 RBI, two stolen bases and 30 runs scored in 99 regular-season games. Ibanez's greatest asset is his glove and his ability to play pretty much anywhere on the infield besides catcher. He also makes plenty of contact with the lumber, but there's very little power to speak. Ibanez will likely be in a utility role again for the Tigers in 2025, which limits his fantasy value to AL-only leagues as depth. He has a career .256/.305/.396 slash line with 24 homers in four MLB seasons.
Detroit Tigers utility player Andy Ibanez came on as a pinch-hitter during the eighth inning of Wednesday's Wild Card matchup with the Astros and broke open a tie ballgame with a three-run bases-clearing double, putting the Tigers ahead 5-2. That would go on to be the final score, securing the Tigers' series win and a date with the Guardians in the ALDS. The 31-year-old hasn't received many at-bats lately, slashing just .174/.248/.239 in 101 plate appearances since the All-Star break, but the Tigers will surely hope for similar results should he get additional opportunities in the next round.
Detroit Tigers infielder Andy Ibanez went yard twice in Tuesday's 11-7 win over the division-rival Cleveland Guardians, piling up four hits and four RBI in the high-scoring affair. Ibanez took Guardians left-hander Logan Allen deep to open the game, tagging the southpaw for another long ball to score three more runs in the second frame. The 31-year-old utility man raised his average by nearly 100 points with the four-hit attack, now batting .364 (12-for-33) with two big flies, one double, seven RBI, and seven runs scored across 13 games. With top prospect Colt Keith scuffling at the plate to begin his major-league career, Ibanez could push for more playing time at the keystone with continued hot hitting. Ibanez gets another date with Cleveland on Wednesday. In 17 career games versus the Guardians, Ibanez is now hitting a ridiculous .441 (26-for-59) with nine extra-base hits and 15 RBI.
The Detroit Tigers reinstated infielder/outfielder Andy Ibanez (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned infielder Buddy Kennedy to Triple-A Toledo after Sunday's game in a corresponding move. Ibanez didn't play at all in the 2-1 loss on Tuesday to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of a doubleheader, but he's starting at second base and batting second in Game 2 against Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz. The 31-year-old is back from a stint on the IL due to a strained left hamstring and should see starts against left-handed pitchers moving forward. The Cuban infielder returns to a .267/.235/.267 slash line with no home runs and three RBI in just 15 at-bats in 2024. Ibanez is only an option in AL-only leagues for middle-infield depth.
Detroit Tigers second baseman Andy Ibanez (hamstring) had a full workout at second base on Tuesday, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Ibanez has been on the injured list due to a left-hamstring strain, and the reports indicate the second baseman looked to be moving well. Ibanez played in five games for the Tigers this season before the injury and was slashing .267/.235/.267.
Matt Vierling, Andy Ibanez, Zach McKinstry To Play Third Base
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said the team is planning for "optionality" at third base in 2024 between Matt Vierling, Andy Ibanez and Zach McKinstry. Prospect Colt Keith, who signed a long-term contract extension last weekend, will play second base and is expected to be an everyday contributor. The 27-year-old Vierling should be the primary third baseman coming out of spring training. The Tigers moved Vierling from the outfield to the hot corner in August of 2023. He's unlikely to be an above-average contributor on offense without hitting for more power. Ibanez, 30, responded to a bad start last year by hitting .294 with 10 homers in his final 87 games. Ibanez, who hits right-handed, and McKinstry set up as natural platoon partners at third base, but McKinstry struggled at the plate in 2023. Prospect Jace Jung could become the team's regular third baseman by the end of the 2024 season.
Andy Ibanez, designated hitter for the Detroit Tigers, had a standout outing in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the New York Mets, bashing three hits. Despite appearing in both games, Ibanez found his rhythm during the night contest, driving in two runs and scoring one in the Tigers' 8-1 victory. Overall, he has a batting average of just .214 in 14 at-bats, but his solid game on Wednesday could earn him more playing time with Detroit as the season progresses.
Texas Rangers third baseman Andy Ibanez appears to be the favorite to be the team's Opening Day third baseman, according to Rangers beat writer Kennedi Landry. The Rangers traded fellow third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa to the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, removing a roadblock for Ibanez. The team will also be without third baseman Josh Jung (shoulder) until at least August. Ibanez, who turns 29 in April, made his MLB debut with the team last year. Over 76 games, he hit .277/.321/.435 with seven home runs, 25 RBI and 31 runs. He displayed a good amount of power in the minors, highlighted by a 1.051 OPS at Triple-A last year, so he's someone worth watching if he can retain an everyday job.
Texas Rangers infielder Andy Ibanez has quietly put together a nice campaign during the second half of the season. On Tuesday, he went 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBI in the 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Ibanez was on a hot streak before injuring his hamstring last month. However, it appears he hasn't missed a beat and is hitting .418 average over his last 21 games. Ibanez is giving the Rangers front office something to think about heading into the offseason.
Texas Rangers infielder Andy Ibanez (hamstring) made his first appearance since going down a few weeks ago. He didn't miss a beat and was hot at the plate during Tuesday's game against the New York Yankees. Ibanez went 3-for-4 with a double in what ended up being a 7-1 loss. It wasn't a good day for the Rangers batters as Ibanez was the only hitter in the lineup to get multiple hits. The Rangers are likely going to continue starting Ibanez throughout the rest of the season, but his fantasy value is minimal.
Andy Ibáñez
• 2B
•
Tigers
