Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Yankees won't "finalize" deals for Raul Ibanez and Eric Chavez until A.J. Burnett is officially traded to the Pirates. The Yankees and Pirates have agreed to a deal, but it's still pending approval from the commissioner's office. Burnett also must pass a physical with his new team on Sunday. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported Friday afternoon that the Yankees plan to add Chavez for about $1 million and Ibanez for about $1 million, though he mentioned that Johnny Damon still lingered as a possibility for their DH opening. Either way, we should finally have some resolution on this prolonged saga within the next couple of days.

Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com reports that the Yankees "have paused their pursuit of a designated hitter" while they wait to see if they can land a DH-type in an A.J. Burnett deal. Garrett Jones would fit the description, though the Pirates reportedly are not willing to include him in a Burnett trade. Raul Ibanez seems to be at the top of the Yankees' list of potential free agent DH targets, with Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui also being considered. Marchand was told that the Pirates are the favorites to land Burnett but that a deal is considered "50-50" at this point. The Yanks are reportedly talking to a total of four teams about Burnett, but one of those clubs is on the righty's no-trade list and Burnett doesn't plan to waive the clause to go to that team.

ESPN New York's Wallace Matthews was told nothing is imminent between the Yankees and Raul Ibanez. "Nothing is about to happen," is how Matthews' source put it. The Yankees are said to be considering Ibanez as a part-time designated hitter, but they've also expressed interest in free agents Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon, and could practice patience until asking prices begin plummeting around the start of spring training. Ibanez, 39, batted .245/.289/.419 with 20 home runs and 84 RBI in 144 games last season for the Phillies.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Yankees are in "serious discussions" with free agent Raul Ibanez. Not surprising, as Buster Olney of ESPN.com wrote Monday afternoon that the Yankees could sign Ibanez, Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui within the week. According to Rosenthal, Ibanez is willing to take less to play for the Yankees than he could make elsewhere. The 39-year-old batted .245/.289/.419 with 20 home runs and 84 RBI in 144 games last season for the Phillies. If signed, he would likely share at-bats with Andruw Jones from the DH spot.

Buster Olney of ESPN.com writes that the Yankees are "in position" to add Raul Ibanez, Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui in the next week. It's not clear whether this is speculation, inside information or some combination of the two, but with spring training right around the corner, we wouldn't be surprised if something happened soon. For what it's worth, Olney thinks Ibanez might be the best fit. The 39-year-old batted .245/.289/.419 with 20 homers and a .707 OPS last season, including a .747 OPS against right-handed pitching. If signed, he would likely split at-bats with Andruw Jones out of the DH spot.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Friday that he'd like to add another bat to the designated hitter mix. "I think we've had a good offseason... but I think it's important to our club that you add another bat," Girardi said. "AL's going to be tough." The manager brought up Raul Ibanez's name, and the 39-year-old would be a fit as a potential platoon mate with Andruw Jones in the DH slot. Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon have also been floated as possible fits for the Bombers.

Kevin Kernan of the New York Post reports that the Yankees are interested in free agent outfielder Raul Ibanez. It's not a bad fit, as the Yanks don't have a ton of options to fill their designated hitter role and Ibanez, despite the fact that he'll turn 40 during the season, is still reasonably productive. He's also at least capable of filling in in the outfield if need be. The 39-year-old batted .245/.289/.419 with 20 home runs and 84 RBI in 144 games last season for the Phillies.

Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reports that the Tigers have shown some amount of interest in Raul Ibanez. Detroit seems set on acquiring a low-salary replacement for injured designated hitter Victor Martinez. Ibanez has failed to draw much interest this offseason and would probably fit that bill. He batted .245/.289/.419 with 20 home runs and 84 RBI in 144 games last season for the Phillies. The Tigers also have interest in Hideki Matsui.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, Raul Ibanez will reject arbitration from the Phillies. It was a surprise to learn that the Phillies offered Ibanez arbitration, but the two sides have an agreement in place where he will decline. If (or when) the Type B free agent signs with another team, the Phillies will receive a sandwich pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

Raul Ibanez was offered arbitration by the Phillies. The decision is a bit surprising, as the Phillies have given every indication that they're ready to move on from Ibanez. Perhaps the two sides have an agreement in place stating that the 39-year-old will not accept.