PHOENIX, AZ – AUGUST 07: Raul Ibanez #18 of the Kansas City Royals during the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 7, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Royals defeated the Diamondbacks 6-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

It’s been a whirlwind year for long-time MLB outfielder Raul Ibanez. After signing with the Angels last winter, he was released in June and caught on with the Kansas City Royals. Ibanez played sparingly with Kansas City, but was on the team’s bench (though not their active roster) during their magical World Series run.

As the offseason began, Ibanez received very little attention from MLB clubs for a playing position, but received attention from the Rays, who named him one of three finalists for their managerial job that eventually went to ex-Indians bullpen coach Kevin Cash. Now, his offseason has taken another interesting turn – Ibanez will essentially replace Gabe Kapler in Fox’s studios for their MLB coverage.

Ibanez won’t just be appearing on the national pregame and postgame coverage – he’ll also be doing hits on Fox Sports Live, America’s Pregame, and MLB Whiparound, as you’d expect from one of Fox’s analysts. While some might question Fox’s hiring of Ibanez despite his lack of experience, Kapler, CJ Nitkowski, and Frank Thomas also didn’t have much experience on TV, and all shined in Fox Sports 1’s first year airing live baseball. I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt until Ibanez starts showing up on TV and starts showing his skills as an analyst.

Fox is also bringing in a pair of new names for play by play roles this season on their broadcasts – Joe Davis (who has called both college football and college basketball at the network) and Mariners radio broadcaster Aaron Goldsmith. There was no immediate word on whether or not the pair would be displacing any current Fox play by play broadcasters, or if they’d simply be added to the rotation.

And one other note that might upset some people: the trio of Joe Buck, Harold Reynolds, and Tom Verducci will return (as expected) as Fox’s lead MLB broadcast team in 2015. I didn’t despise the trio as much as others did in 2014, but there’s clearly work to be done with the three. Hopefully, another year working together will improve their chemistry.

[Sports Illustrated]

About Joe Lucia

I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.

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