Red Sox After Abreu?

[love_that_reefer]

The Red Sox inquired about Phillies right fielder Bobby Abreu, but the talks apparently failed to progress — even though a rival GM describes the Sox's interest in Abreu as "very strong."

Here's why Abreu could make sense for the Sox:

# Right fielder Trot Nixon is a free agent after this season.

# Red Sox manager Terry Francona had a good relationship with Abreu when they were together with the Phillies.

# 3-4-5 combination of David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Abreu would make the Sox's offense even more fearsome.

# Getting Abreu would keep him away from the Yankees.

On the other hand, the Sox's greater need is pitching, and the price for Abreu would be exorbitant. Abreu is earning $13 million this season and $15 million next season, and he likely would require any team that acquires him to exercise his $16 million option for 2008.

Abreu, Ortiz and Ramirez would make nearly $50 million combined annually, and each is over 30. Sox general manager Theo Epstein is striving for greater financial flexibility, and while he will need to re-sign or replace Nixon, he can do it for less than Abreu would cost — and without giving up players in return. What's more, Nixon is a popular, homegrown talent, and his on-base/slugging percentage this season is nearly as high as Abreu's.

Abreu's salary and no-trade clause remain the most significant obstacles to the Phillies trading him before the July 31 non-waiver deadline. However, one major-league source says "there's a lot of action" on the outfielder, and a former teammate of Abreu's says a trade to a contender would give him the "kick in the butt" he needs.

It doesn't make a whole lot of sense because they do have Pena to replace Nixon.

[CrimsonNW]

Doesn't make much sense at all. I would love to have Abreu as a Sox but that would make Pena useless, and he has a lot to prove. We should teach him to play first base, trade Lowell for pitching, put Youk at third and then Abreu would be fine

[Noiles]

Doesn't make much sense at all. I would love to have Abreu as a Sox but that would make Pena useless, and he has a lot to prove. We should teach him to play first base, trade Lowell for pitching, put Youk at third and then Abreu would be fine

Thats better then pena being useless