The New York Mets are still considering Mariner free agent Raul Ibanez a legitimate option to bolster their outfield.  Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wrote today that “Ibanez seems to fit what GM Omar Minaya is looking for.”

The Mets tried to acquire Ibanez at the trade deadline, but found the asking price too tough to swallow.  The Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays also came close to getting Ibanez in July, and both clubs are thought to be interested still. 

Earlier in the summer there was speculation that Ibanez would make sense for the Atlanta Braves before they fell out of the playoff race, and he still makes some sense for them.  The Philadelphia Phillies are also expected to kick the tires on Raul as a replacement for Pat Burrell.

Who would have thought that the interest would come primarily from National League teams after so much criticism of Raul’s defense, with the Blue Jays looking like the only team interested in him as a DH.  As funny as this might sound, the Phillies are the only team currently involved that can view Raul as a defensive upgrade.

I also expect the Tampa Bay Rays to become involved at some point as Cliff Floyd’s playoff injury could represent the end of his career.

Last month I wrote about the teams Raul has to sign with in order for Seattle to get the most out of their compensatory draft picks (assuming he is offered arbitration and he declines).  All of the teams mentioned above fall on the “good” list except for the Braves, so cross your fingers.  At this point I think the Mets and Phillies have to be viewed as front runners.