Abreu to the Angels

It appears as though Bobby Abreu is going to be a Los Angeles Angel of Anaheim:

The Angels are nearing a one-year deal with free agent Bobby Abreu that will pay the former Yankees outfielder between $5 million and $7 million, according to a baseball source . . . He was believed to be seeking a three-year, $48 million deal when he filed for free agency in November. But he — and many of his peers — soon discovered a free-agent market unkind to the aging veteran.

This is a great deal for the Angels, and it shows that even the teams without a long track record of sabermetric thinking are getting smart about stuff like old and rapidly-slowing outfielders.

And it’s not like it’s the end of the world for Abreu too. If he produces this year, there could still be a contract for him next year. Reggie Sanders spent close to ten years as a corner outfield bat-for-hire and made a nice little living out of it. Folks kind of thought it odd at the time, but I’ve always thought that most corner guys should be journeyman like Sanders. There’s nothing to be ashamed at being competent, reasonably priced, and in demand each winter.


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Alex K
15 years ago

Does that mean he plays left? Or will he be in right and Vlad as DH? However you slice it I think makes sense.

Ron
15 years ago

Problem is Reggie screwed by staying with the Royals for two years.

MooseinOhio
15 years ago

My suggestion to Abreu is to rent and not buy as I think he will a rent a hitter for the next five to seven years and will be playing in at least four different cities.  On the plus side, he will be filling the needs of playoff caliber teams and should at least be playing games that matter in August or September and more than likely make it to the playoff over half the time.

ericinboston
15 years ago

not to mention in demand each summer…

i’d have to think that a guy, like sanders in this example, who can be a decent mid-season pick up for a contending team has to only help that value in the winter.

a re-building team could spend a little bit on a guy like this knowing they could get some young talent over the summer.

Pete Toms
15 years ago

Did the Yanks offer him aribitration?  I assume yes.  If so, how much money did he walk away from?

Evan
15 years ago

@ Pete: No, they did not offer him arbitration.