Abreu is near a one-year deal with the Angels

[realmofotalk]

Outfielder Bobby Abreu and the Los Angeles Angels are nearing an agreement on a one-year contract, according to sources, perhaps helping to loosen what has been a tight winter market for many mid-level free agents.

The deal is believed to be worth about $5 million.

Abreu, Angels near one-year deal - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

He makes a good complement to Juan Rivera for the LF/DH combo, but he's not a first baseman. They're putting a lot of faith in Kendry Morales and Robb Quinlan.

[love_that_reefer]

This would be a great deal but I'm not buying Abreu on a $5 million deal. The Angels need Abreu's offense and help in RF to keep Guerrero fresh. Guerrero, Matthews Jr., Abreu, Figgins and Rivera make for one crowded OF.

[realmofotalk]

Torii Hunter, too. But Figgins stays at 3B.

[love_that_reefer]

******* I'm slipping. First it was Loney and now Hunter. Of course Hunter!!

[missionhockey21]

Per mlbtraderumors.com:

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.

In Abreu, the Angels add some much-needed OBP to a team that ranked 11th in the AL last year in the crucial stat.

What a bargain. It is sad really. The market falls out so many rich teams (not all) become poor teams and the poor teams become total non-options in the game of salaries and free agency. At least the rich teams are getting star players on a discount and baseball will look slightly more competitive on paper.

[love_that_reefer]

ljshorty, I owe you an apology. Abreu makes $5 million, $5 million less than Raul Ibanez. What a crime!