When the Angels signed Albert Pujols earlier in the offseason, first basemen Mark Trumbo and Kendrys Morales joined the designated hitter mix, and Bobby Abreu’s grip on his everyday role seemed to weaken. However, health issues persist for Morales (left ankle) and Trumbo (right foot). GM Jerry Dipoto told Abreu that he will have the chance to earn regular playing time by swinging the bat well this spring, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times.
“Bobby is an Angel,” Dipoto said. “Right now, he fits on our 25-man roster, in our clubhouse, on our team. Where he is in eight weeks is predicated on how he’s playing and everyone’s health.”
Dipoto has maintained throughout the winter that Abreu is valuable to the Angels, though Ken Rosenthal heard in December that the veteran would welcome a change of scenery. Dipoto told DiGiovanna that Abreu, who turns 38 in March, has not requested a trade.
The left-handed hitter posted a .253/.353/.365 line with 21 stolen bases in 585 plate appearances as the Angels' primary DH last year. He posted the lowest full-season slugging percentage and OPS of his 16-year career. Abreu will earn $9MM in 2012 before becoming a free agent.
Abreu is the kind of player that I bet Duquette makes a trade for and then tell O’s fans he’s a big big improvement over what we have now and what we’ve had in the past. I am laying 5 to 1 odds on this happening!
Perhaps Cashman has a change of heart and pursues Abreu over Ibanez for the DH spot via trade to save…cash and that money goes to Chavez, making it easier to flip AJ if at all.
forget my statement, Abreu is owed 9mil for 2012 so aside from a 1 for 1 swap contract and all I’m not sure even if AJ goes to PIT, I don’t think the yankees spend the payroll they would be getting back on an Abreu trade and a Chavez acquisition
forget my statement, Abreu is owed 9mil for 2012 so aside from a 1 for 1 swap contract and all I’m not sure even if AJ goes to PIT, I don’t think the yankees spend the payroll they would be getting back on an Abreu trade and a Chavez acquisition
I think there’s a very good chance Abreu is outright released.
No, no there is not
Why? At the minimum he’s a good guy who can be an outstanding bat off the bench and pinch runner, not to mention good insurance in the case of injury to the other guys. It’s not like releasing him would save them any cash. If they want to get rid of him I’m sure he has at least minimal value if they eat the majority of his contract.
get ‘er done, Omar!
While Bobby’s time as a full-time Angel is likely over, I will always remember him as the guy who changed the team from Mickey’s Hackers to a team that could wait for a pitch. They still have a ways to go (Howie…Aybar…etc.) but they’re not swinging at everything anymore.
Betances Banuelos and cash for Abreu. Get it done Cashman.
My personal wish is that Bobby finish out his career as an Angel and work in the organization as a hitting coach.
“Bobby is an Angel”
That’s sweet.
The Seattle Mariners sure can use Bobby Abreu to help out the team on offense as they were lacking last year. The Angels needs more pitching help as the Mariners can package either Erasmo Ramirez or James Paxton & either Charlie Furbush or Blake Beaven, and Chone Figgins (but sending Figgins to a NL team in three way deal). Abreu can help give Ichiro & Mike Carp a day off playing in the outfield. Montero or Abreu would be better to come off the bench for the M’s giving some clutch offense. Hope Jack Z and Jerry DiPoto can try pulling off that deal.
this is my hope…
Trumbo and Morales come back and prove to be healthy. Abreu comes to camp in good shape and has a good first part of games. That raises his value slightly and may help the Angels avoid paying more salary than needed. It really depends on the heath of Trumbo and Morales, because if they come back ready to go, there is no place for him at all.