| Craig Sternberg. 12th November, 2009 - 1:39 pm
 Kicking off the beginning of the hot stove winter, the Angels made their first big move in what is considered one of the most important offseasons in the franchises history.
Right-fielder Bobby Abreu agreed to re-sign with the Angels on a two-year deal worth $9 million per year. The deal includes a club option for 2012, which is guaranteed if Abreu reaches 550 plate appearances in 2011 or 1,200 plate appearances combined in 2010-11. The deal also gives the Angels an option of a $1 million buyout for 2012.
After failing to re-sign Mark Teixiera in the off season of 2008, the Angels were forced to turn to young promising prospect Kendry Morales to fill the void at first base. Many Angels fans bemoaned over the lack of a big bat to protect Vladimir Gurrero, the loss of Teixiera’s defense at first and most importantly his patience at the plate, which had a profound impact on the rest of the team once Texeria was acquired at the trade deadline.
With the downturn of the economy and many free agents left without the type of deals they were looking for, the Angels lucked into signing Abreu for a mere $5 million for one season. Abreu, feeling a need to prove himself quickly, became the driving force behind the Angels offensive explosion.
The Angels, often know for their frenzied hit-first-walk-second style of baseball, became more patient at the plate with Abreu in the lineup and as a result saw their offensive efficiency rise in every single major category compared to last year:
2008
Batting Avg: .268
OBP: .330
Slugging: .413
2009
Batting Avg: .285
OBP: .350
Slugging: .441
Hitting coach Mickey Hatcher had been preaching patience at the plate for years, but having a player in the lineup who was patient, starting with Teixiera and moving onto Abreu had a trickling effect throughout the Angels lineup. Abreu essentially became a second hitting coach for the Angels. With the Angels boasting a healthy array of young Latin talent, it was easy for Abreu to work closely with players like Erick Aybar and Kendry Morales, both of whom had career years in 2009. Abreu’s effect on the Angels lineup and clubhouse cannot be over stated and as a result Abreu got the deal he deserved last year.
The chief concerns over signing Abreu this offseason were virtually the same concerns everyone had last season which kept Abreu from getting the kind of deal he initially wanted. Abreu isn’t getting any younger, he will be 36 at the start of his new deal and as a result some of his performance has declined. Abreu will have to become a full time DH sooner rather then later as his fielding has declined each and every year. His slugging percentage and overall power numbers have declined steadily over the course of his career as well.
Regardless, Abreu would have had options and a two-year deal at $9 million per year is reasonable. If the third year is easily vested though, this deal could turn out to have favored Abreu. With this being a weak free agent class and many of the corner outfielders going for much higher deals (Jason Bay, Matt Holliday) this deal was the right decision to make for the Angels organization and for Bobby Abreu.
Grade for Angels: A-
Grade for Bobby Abreu: A |
