The Chicago Cubs have been talking to Raul Ibanez’s agent, according to Gordon Wittenmyer.  It is known that Cubs manager Lou Pinella has been endorsing Ibanez, but they’d have to stick him in right field.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Angels have identified Ibanez “as their No. 1 alternative if Teixeira signs elsewhere,” according to ESPN’s Jayson Stark.  We already knew that Ibanez was a backup plan of sorts for them, but for them to be their second choice is a bit different.  I never thought I’d say this, but I hope Raul ends up with the Angels.