Mariners add former Tigers playoff hero on minors deal

The Seattle Mariners recently signed utility man and former Detroit Tigers postseason hero Andy Ibáñez to a minor-league deal.

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The 33 year old made his debut with the Mariners organization on Tuesday night with Triple-A Tacoma. In two games with the Rainiers, he’s gone 4 for 8 at the plate with two doubles.

Francys Romero first reported the signing Sunday.

Ibáñez, a La Habana, Cuba, native, has appeared in 434 games over six MLB seasons with the Texas Rangers, New York Mets, Tigers and Athletics. He’s a career .250 hitter with a .684 OPS, 28 homers and 59 doubles.

Ibáñez has been at his best against left-handed pitching with a career .272 average and .753 OPS with 17 homers in 572 plate appearances against southpaws. The Mariners entered Thursday last in MLB in batting average (.216) and 29th in OPS (.640) against left-handed pitching.

Ibáñez’s best season came in 2023 when he slashed .264/.312/.433 with a .745 OPS, 11 homers and 23 doubles in 114 games.

During the 2024 postseason with Detroit, Ibáñez delivered a tiebreaking, three-run double in the eighth inning of the Tigers’ series-clinching win over the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the American League wild-card series.

Ibáñez has played every position except catcher and center field in the majors while being an above average defender by the defensive metrics. He’s posted 25 defensive runs saved and 13 outs above average for his career.

He began this year with the Athletics and went 2 for 18 at the plate in 11 games before being designated for assignment on April 26.

Ibáñez was claimed by the Mets on April 30 and 0 for 6 at the plate over three games before being designated for assignment again May 12 and outrighted to the minors shortly after. The Mets released him on Aug. 13.

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