Seattle's Ibañez on Mets' radar for outfield help

Now that the Mets know Moises Alou isn't coming around the corner, they can turn their attention to trading for a replacement before the July 31 non-waivers deadline. One name on the Mets' radar, according to a baseball official, is Seattle leftfielder Raul Ibañez. The lefthanded hitter can become a free agent after the season; the Mariners are looking to dump anyone they can in the middle of a miserable season, so the price tag for a rental could be to the Mets' liking.

Ibañez, 36, is hitting .273 with 10 homers and 53 RBIs. He's a Manhattan native and friend of Carlos Beltran, a teammate from their Kansas City days. Beltran sounded very much as if he would love to see Ibañez walk into the Mets' clubhouse before the end of the month. Continue