| Christopher Reina. 12th February, 2009 - 1:02 am
 Bobby Abreu was initially seeking $16 million per season over three and after waiting and waiting and waiting, he settled on a one-year deal worth just $5 million with incentives that can push it up to just $6 million.
He ranked 67th in season FIC in 2008 and 'deserved' to make $11 million. He had a -31% Reina Value and was of course in need of a decline in pay, but Abreu's camp can't be anything but disappointed with a one-year, $5 million deal.
The sting of losing Mark Teixeira to the Yankees still stings for Tony Reagins, but he affordably gave Mike Scioscia a veteran bat with a lifetime OPS of .903. He hasn't had an OPS above .900, however, since 2004. He doesn't draw as many walks as he did before, but he still has a decent OBP and should be good for 20 homers and 40 doubles.
His .559 OPS at Angel Stadium in 67 plate appearances is clearly atrocious and he's struggled outside of Yankee Stadium over the past two years. His numbers, particularly those RBI numbers, were greatly bolstered by hitting in the middle of a much better than the Angels offense in New York.
The Angels will have to play musical chairs in the outfield/DH with Abreu, Vladimir Guerrero, Torii Hunter, Juan Rivera and Gary Matthews, and it also doesn't address the gaping hole at first. Abreu is a professional hitter and there is utterly no downside with this signing and should easily outperform the value of his contract.
The only real silver lining for Abreu is that he has an excellent opportunity to be in the playoffs in 2009 and potentially hit himself into a multi-year deal at 36 in a less crowded free agent market.
Grade for Angels: A
Grade for Abreu: D |
