Angels and Abreu in Serious Talks
Feb 11, 2009 | 11:11 AM
#1
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From: Orange County
Angels and Abreu in Serious Talks
After losing Mark Tiexiera the Angels appear to be scrambling to sign the biggest name left. This would only complicate an already crowded outfield. Unless Vladimir Guerrero is willing to play DH almost full time - which he has not been happy about in the past - then where does Abreu play? Unless we can convert him to a first baseman this deal doesn't really make a lot of sense to me. Also, Abreu is more of a compliment to big bats - not really a big bat himself. And he certainly doesn't fill Tiexiera's shoes.
The only nice thing about it is that he won't be going to Boston . . .
SPRING TRAINING STARTS THIS WEEKEND!!
The only nice thing about it is that he won't be going to Boston . . .
SPRING TRAINING STARTS THIS WEEKEND!!
Sources: Abreu, Angels in serious talks
Free-agent outfielder Bobby Abreu is in serious talks toward a one-year agreement with the Los Angeles Angels, two baseball sources told ESPN.com.
Abreu, 34, is one of the premier hitters left on the market this offseason. The Angels jumped into negotiations with a big push this week and have emerged as clear front-runners. Although the two sides still have some issues to work through, a source said an agreement could be reached before the start of spring training this weekend in Arizona.
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 Tony 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.
The price is unclear, but 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.
It was believed that Abreu was seeking a three-year, $48 million deal after filing for free agency in November. Recent reports have indicated that he would settle for a one-year contract for about $8 million.
The Braves have also expressed serious interest in Abreu, but sources said Atlanta's budget is so tight that general manager Frank Wren would have to stretch to give him a $5 million salary.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox and New York Mets are among the other clubs that have been mentioned in conjunction with Abreu. But none of those teams advanced beyond the exploratory phase.
This year Abreu joined Barry Bonds and Rickey Henderson as the only players to amass 200 homers and 300 stolen bases while maintaining a .400 on-base percentage. Abreu is also one of five players with 100 RBIs and 100 runs scored in each of the past two seasons. The others: Chase Utley, Adrian Gonzalez, David Wright and Alex Rodriguez.
Free-agent outfielder Bobby Abreu is in serious talks toward a one-year agreement with the Los Angeles Angels, two baseball sources told ESPN.com.
Abreu, 34, is one of the premier hitters left on the market this offseason. The Angels jumped into negotiations with a big push this week and have emerged as clear front-runners. Although the two sides still have some issues to work through, a source said an agreement could be reached before the start of spring training this weekend in Arizona.
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 Tony 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.
The price is unclear, but 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.
It was believed that Abreu was seeking a three-year, $48 million deal after filing for free agency in November. Recent reports have indicated that he would settle for a one-year contract for about $8 million.
The Braves have also expressed serious interest in Abreu, but sources said Atlanta's budget is so tight that general manager Frank Wren would have to stretch to give him a $5 million salary.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox and New York Mets are among the other clubs that have been mentioned in conjunction with Abreu. But none of those teams advanced beyond the exploratory phase.
This year Abreu joined Barry Bonds and Rickey Henderson as the only players to amass 200 homers and 300 stolen bases while maintaining a .400 on-base percentage. Abreu is also one of five players with 100 RBIs and 100 runs scored in each of the past two seasons. The others: Chase Utley, Adrian Gonzalez, David Wright and Alex Rodriguez.
Feb 11, 2009 | 11:39 AM
#3
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Orange County
Oh Ho! I challenge your claim of biggest Vlad fan!!
My credentials:
1. 5-year season ticket holder.
2. Owner of all 3 Vlad bobble-head dolls.
3. Often sport my Vlad wig and fake beard set.
4. Created a set of secret slump-buster handshakes with my son that greatly improve Vlad's performance at the plate.
5. I once squashed a little kid in order to secure an autograph.
6. I took these pictures from my season seats:
Beat that Hinckle!!
My credentials:
1. 5-year season ticket holder.
2. Owner of all 3 Vlad bobble-head dolls.
3. Often sport my Vlad wig and fake beard set.
4. Created a set of secret slump-buster handshakes with my son that greatly improve Vlad's performance at the plate.
5. I once squashed a little kid in order to secure an autograph.
6. I took these pictures from my season seats:
Beat that Hinckle!!
Last edited by Barrister; Feb 11, 2009 at 12:08 PM.
Feb 11, 2009 | 05:49 PM
#4
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,875
From: Orange County
Looks like they have struck a deal. Can't say I am really very excited about it. But it is better than doing nothing at all.
Source: Bobby Abreu agrees to deal with Los Angeles Angels - ESPN
Source: Bobby Abreu agrees to deal with Los Angeles Angels - ESPN
Feb 11, 2009 | 10:51 PM
#5
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 362
Oh Ho! I challenge your claim of biggest Vlad fan!!
My credentials:
1. 5-year season ticket holder.
2. Owner of all 3 Vlad bobble-head dolls.
3. Often sport my Vlad wig and fake beard set.
4. Created a set of secret slump-buster handshakes with my son that greatly improve Vlad's performance at the plate.
5. I once squashed a little kid in order to secure an autograph.
6. I took these pictures from my season seats:
Beat that Hinckle!!
My credentials:
1. 5-year season ticket holder.
2. Owner of all 3 Vlad bobble-head dolls.
3. Often sport my Vlad wig and fake beard set.
4. Created a set of secret slump-buster handshakes with my son that greatly improve Vlad's performance at the plate.
5. I once squashed a little kid in order to secure an autograph.
6. I took these pictures from my season seats:
Beat that Hinckle!!
Feb 11, 2009 | 10:59 PM
#6
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,875
From: Orange County
Do you have the 1995 Bowman's Best rookie card? Me too - Gem Mint 10 PSA graded.
Sorry about the misspell. I was being "non-attorney-like" and sufferred a brain cramp on it. Won't happen again brother!
Sorry about the misspell. I was being "non-attorney-like" and sufferred a brain cramp on it. Won't happen again brother!
Last edited by Barrister; Feb 11, 2009 at 11:02 PM.
Feb 11, 2009 | 11:02 PM
#7
I'm closing this thread.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,610
From: Atlanta Metro-East
Truth.
Angels and Sawx were the teams I did NOT want him to sign with. 
Feb 12, 2009 | 01:31 AM
#9
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Posts: 23,875
From: Orange County
Thanks! We love the games. We go to basically all of them. It is rare that we miss. You really get an interesting perspective on a team when you see them live nearly every game. You see things Sports Center doesn't show. For example, despite the accolades that he gets, Vlad is actually a very poor outfielder. He has the great arm. But he takes the wrong route and angle on almost every fly ball. He often gets his legs tangled up and has lost nearly all of his speed. Having Gary Matthews Jr. and Torii Hunter to pick up some of the slack has kept him in RF. I think he will DH more than half the time this year - and thus the Abreu deal. Vlad makes too many mental errors and just fails to get to balls that others get to routinely. I love him. But he is a minus fielder these days. If you just watched Sports Center, however, you would think he was the best RF in the game. Not so.
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