Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones have not been hitting the way the Yankees have expected them to this season, but don’t expect them to go out and trade for Jim Thome. According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Yankees are not interested in Thome should the Phillies trade the veteran slugger.
Thome, who will be 42 by the end of August, is hitting .242/.338/.516 this season which is comparable power to Ibanez with a higher OBP. Thome hits much better against righties which is probably at least part of the reason they don’t want to trade for him. If they really wanted to upgrade on Ibanez they might try Russell Branyan, who also hits righties well and is down in Triple-A.
Thome has just been dealt to the Orioles for two lower-level minor leaguers.