Bobby Abreu has found a new home in sunny California, and boy did the Angels ever get themselves a bargain…
From ESPN: Bobby Abreu has reached preliminary agreement on a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels, a baseball source said. The Angels expect to announce the contract once Abreu passes a physical exam, which was scheduled for Wednesday, and the team clears a spot on the 40-man roster.
It’s believed that Abreu will make about $5 million in base salary, and there will be additional, undisclosed incentives that would bring the total value closer to the $8 million that Abreu was seeking.
Foxsports.com reported Tuesday — and two baseball sources confirmed — that the Angels will make room for Abreu by taking pitcher Nick Green off the 40-man roster.
The Angels signed outfielder Juan Rivera to a three-year, $12.75 million deal in December, but the departure of Mark Teixeira and Garret Anderson through free agency has left general manager Reagins with the flexibility to add a bat. Abreu, a .300 career hitter in 13 seasons with the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees, would help upgrade an Angels lineup that ranked 10th in the American League in runs and OPS in 2008.
Abreu’s financial aspirations have taken a hit because of the soft economy and surplus of left-handed bats available. Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr., Jim Edmonds, Anderson and Luis Gonzalez are among the other veteran lefty hitters still looking for jobs.
Wow. Abreu is a fine player, and it’s just unbelievable the contract he signed — would you have ever thought he would signed for that around Christmas? Seriously, he’s a good fit for the Angels — a patient hitter, will compliment their lineup well (a patient eye in contrast to an aggressive approach at the plate by others) and hit for average, plus carry some pop.
He may not be much in the field — especially his fear of walls — and not the pedigree of Teixiera; however, he’s better than Garrett Anderson and will be professional on the field.
A good move by the Angels.
