Angels Sign Bobby Abreu
According to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times, the Angels’ one-year deal with outfielder Bobby Abreu is official. The contract is believed to be for about $5MM guaranteed with incentives that can push the value past $6MM. On today’s conference call, Abreu and Angels GM Tony Reagins explained how they deal came together.
Heyman On Manny, Pudge, Cabrera, Howard
The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…
- Heyman says "most in the know seem to still believe [Dodgers owner Frank] McCourt will bend on Manny Ramirez and go to three years."
- The Nationals’ offer to Adam Dunn was on the table for weeks until he realized no team was going to beat or approach it. There were rumors months ago that Dunn sought a $100MM deal heading into free agency.
- The Astros and Marlins are looking at Ivan Rodriguez. There’s even an El Nuevo Dia report suggesting the Astros offered $2.5MM+ to Pudge, but that seems out of their price range to me. In today’s mailbag, MLB.com’s Alyson Footer opines that the Astros wouldn’t go to $3MM for a catcher.
- The A’s "want to spend no more than $5MM, and probably closer to $3MM" for Orlando Cabrera. He should take that if it’s offered.
- The Angels had been eyeing Joe Crede but may be done after signing Bobby Abreu. The Giants and Twins remain the likeliest suitors for Crede.
- The Phillies hoped to lock up Ryan Howard beyond his arbitration years, and Ruben Amaro Jr. disputed the notion that he is after Teixeira money.
Brewers Acquire Nick Green
According to MLB.com’s Lyle Spencer, the Angels removed pitcher Nick Green from the 40-man roster to make room for Bobby Abreu and Green was "promptly snapped up from waivers by the Brewers." The Brewers designated reliever Luis Pena for assignment to make room, says MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy.
Green, 24, posted a 5.32 ERA in 159 Triple A innings last year. He had issues with hits and home runs allowed. In their ’09 Handbook, Baseball America said Green has a strong changeup but "lacks a swing-and-miss pitch" and "projects as a #4 starter at best."
Angels, Bobby Abreu Reach Agreement
9:55pm: According to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times, incentives could raise the value of the contract above $6MM.
3:42pm: Crasnick says the Angels and Abreu have reached a preliminary agreement. It’ll be a done deal once he passes his physical and the Angels remove Nick Green from the 40-man to make room. Also:
The Braves have also expressed serious interest in Abreu, but sources said Atlanta’s budget is so tight that general manager Frank Wren would have to stretch to give him a $5MM salary.
11:44am: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick says the Angels and Abreu moved closer to a deal, but are still negotiating incentives that could be worth a million or two.
8:33am: According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Angels and Bobby Abreu reached an agreement on a one-year deal worth a little more than $5MM plus incentives.
Abreu, 35 in March, hit .296/.371/.471 in 684 plate appearances for the Yankees last year while playing poor defense. He earned $16MM in ’08. Many questioned Brian Cashman’s decision not to offer arbitration to Abreu, a Type A free agent. The decision was wise, as Abreu ended up taking a 69% pay cut in base salary. At the beginning of the offseason, most people expected him to get multiple years and at least $10MM per. Abreu’s agent Peter Greenberg remarked to Larry Stone on January 30th:
"He might take a one-year deal so that he can — in his words — win the MVP and go out on the market again. He’s definitely motivated. Not that he’s not usually, but he has extra motivation."
In Abreu, the Angels add some much-needed OBP to a team that ranked 11th in the AL last year in the crucial stat.
Odds and Ends: Garland, Lindstrom, Angels
Links for Wednesday…
- I cleaned up the 2010 free agent list a bit, eliminating a few guys who will not have six years service time after ’09. For example, Tim Redding. He’ll be a Met in 2010 unless they non-tender him.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic learned that if Jon Garland is traded this season and is a Type A free agent afterwards, his new team cannot offer him arbitration.
- Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald has an interesting profile on Marlins closer Matt Lindstrom.
- RotoAuthority gathers comments from readers on their favorite fantasy league provider. Yahoo leagues are open for registration, by the way.
- Sam Miller of the OC Register lists possible trade pieces for the Angels if they are able to finish up the Bobby Abreu contract.
Angels Closing In On Bobby Abreu
8:55pm: Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times collected a few quotes from Abreu’s agent, Peter Greenberg:
"The Angels have expressed interest, and we’ve been talking to them — they’re definitely one of the more interesting situations for Bobby," said Greenberg. "It’s a good city, a winning team, and he has some friends over there."
"We’d still like a multi-year deal, but if he doesn’t get what he wants, he’ll be fine with a one-year deal. Then, he could re-establish his market value and hope for better luck next year. He might be faced with that."
8:35pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Angels "appear to be closing in on a deal" with Abreu.
7:44pm: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick heard from two baseball sources that the Angels are in serious talks toward a one-year agreement with Abreu.
7:09pm: FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reports that the Angels waived right-hander Nick Green from the 40-man roster on Tuesday and believes the team "could be trying to create a spot for a free-agent hitter."
The Angels are thought to prefer Bobby Abreu over Adam Dunn. "One GM pursuing Abreu said Tuesday that he was told Abreu was close to signing with an Amercian League team," writes Rosenthal.
Perrotto’s Latest: Angels, Mets, Mariners
John Perrotto’s Sunday column is up, now called On The Beat (like his Wednesday articles) instead of Every Given Sunday.
According to the article, the Angels plan to use Kendry Morales at first base, and a combination of Juan Rivera, Gary Matthews, Jr., and Reggie Willits in left field and designated hitter. Perrotto quotes GM Tony Reagins: "In our situation, you get to the point where you have young players with talent who have been given some chances at the major league level, but have not had the opportunity to play every day. We feel it’s time to allow those players that opportunity."
Perrotto reports the Angels had a fixed dollar figure that included the money they did not wind up spending on Mark Teixeira; however, not signing Teixeira does not mean they feel the need to spend the money without improving the ballclub. They still appear to be a team in the prime position to sign Adam Dunn, Manny Ramirez, or Bobby Abreu.
And a couple notes from around the Majors:
- The Mariners have "mild" interest in Garrett Anderson to play left-field.
- The Mets are trying to trade catcher Ramon Castro. They would rather spend less to have Robinson Cancel as Brian Schneider‘s backup.
Cafardo’s Latest: Manny, Sheets, Glavine
The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo shares some notes on Manny Ramirez and around the league. Let’s have a look, bullet-point style:
- He cites an AL Exec who says, "I’ll be honest, I never thought Ramirez would walk away from… one year, $25 million. That’s better than the $20 million option he had torn up… If he has another great year, he gets another $25 million for one year? Or maybe a team then decides, ‘OK, this guy has behaved himself for a while, continues to produce at a high level now, let’s commit for another two years to him.’ Unless a team like the Yankees comes in at the last minute and gets it done, I just don’t see where he’s going to make more than $25 million." Cafardo adds that "Brian Cashman insists it won’t happen."
- A quote from Rich Hill on his being traded to the Orioles: "[Cubs general manager] Jim Hendry really took care of me. He wanted to create an opportunity for me that he told me probably didn’t exist in Chicago, so I’m grateful. I know Baltimore tried to deal for me last year and it didn’t work out, but this time they made it work." Hill also adds that he’s over his back injury and will rediscover his control.
- Ben Sheets not signing anywhere until June hurts the Brewers two-fold: they may have to foot the bill for the surgery and won’t receive a first round draft pick for losing a Type-A free agent. Sheets has a torn flexor tendon, as revealed by an exam with the Texas Rangers. On the other hand, MLBTR has noted that in June, after his surgery, he won’t cost a draft pick to sign.
- Andruw Jones on playing in Boston: "It’s too cold there. There’s too much stuff going on."
- Bobby Abreu may have to settle for a one or two year deal at $3MM. Cafardo lists the Angels, Mets, Braves, Dodgers, and Mariners.
- Expect an incentive-laden deal for one year between Tom Glavine and the Braves. As MLBTR has noted, their latest offer was between $1-2MM with no incentives.
- Mark Mulder could be a useful back end starter and he’s almost ready to put himself on display to teams.
- Shea Hillenbrand is 32 and receiving no interest. Cafardo wonders if he’s "being punished for past transgressions?"
- Cubs, White Sox, and Dodgers are lined up for Orlando Hudson; however, the transfer of ownership may have temporarily tied the hands of Jim Hendry to do anything until Tom Ricketts takes over.
- The A’s are continuously interested in Orlando Cabrera, Adam Dunn, and Abreu.
The Corner Outfield-DH Market
There are still many jobless players who could contribute as a corner outfielder or a DH, so it’s a good time to take stock of the market. Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu are the big names, but Garret Anderson, Andruw Jones, Luis Gonzalez, Jim Edmonds and Ken Griffey Jr. want jobs and Jermaine Dye, Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher could be available through trades.
Here’s a look at the teams who have reportedly had interest in this type of player, starting in the AL:
- White Sox: They thought about Abreu and Dye’s been involved in rumors all offseason, much to the frustration of Kenny Williams. Dye will earn $11.5MM in 2009.
- Angels: They aren’t interested in Dye, but they could be interested in Abreu or Dunn at the right price. Don’t look for them to make a play for Manny though; GM Tony Reagins said it won’t happen. Garret Anderson won’t be back.
- Mariners: The Ms could sign Griffey, but they prefer Abreu and Anderson.
- Braves: They are the top suitor for Swisher and they have some interest in bringing back Jones. Atlanta has about $5-9MM to spend, so they could change plans and pursue Dunn or Abreu if they’re willing to accept a deal worth under $10MM. Don’t rule out a Nady trade, either.
- Nationals: The Nats have offered Dunn a contract, which he’s been sitting on for a while. They’re also monitoring the Manny market.
- Mets: Abreu and Ramirez won’t sign with the Mets this offseason. If Griffey’s willing to sign at a major discount, he could sign with the Mets, but indications are he wants $5-6MM.
- Dodgers: The Dodgers have targeted Manny Ramirez all offseason, and he’s rejected two contract offers from them. The first was for $45MM over two years with a club option; the second was for $25MM over one year. Dunn appears to like the Dodgers, and Abreu’s an option, too.
- Giants: The Giants are also courting Manny, but some have said they just want to prevent the Dodgers from getting a deal. Abreu could also fit in San Francisco.
- Reds: Yet another team that could pursue Abreu, the Reds spoke with Luis Gonzalez’s agent ealier in the winter. Adam Dunn won’t return to Cincinnati this offseason.
Odds And Ends: Anderson, Griffey, Varitek
Links for Saturday…
- According to Bill Dwyre of the LA Times Garret Anderson has no ill will towards the Angels.
- Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times thinks the Mariners need to sign Ken Griffey Jr. He adds that the Mariners may be "warming to the idea."
- The Kyodo News reports that the Blue Jays have finalized Ken Takahashi‘s contract.
- According to Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe, Jason Varitek passed his physical.
- Jay Jaffe, Kevin Goldstein and Christina Kahrl of BP fill in the remaining holes on National League teams.
- Buster Olney of ESPN.com writes that players should "go the extra mile" to please fans in the weakened economy, as they did in 1995 after the strike.