Untitled Page

Bobby Abreu News & Rumors

Why the Angels should trade Abreu
December 19
Foxsports.com
 
"Even before the Angels signed Albert Pujols, Bobby Abreu looked like their odd man out. Now, with Kendrys Morales seemingly on the verge of a comeback, the Angels should consider trading Abreu rather than paying him $9 million to be a part-time DH. Abreu, who turns 38 on March 11, is not the type to demand a trade, but he would welcome one, according to sources with knowledge of his thinking. His concern is playing time. Morales, a switch-hitting first baseman, has missed the past 1 1/2 seasons due to leg injuries. The Angels, however, were confident enough in his recent progress to offer him arbitration, knowing his salary likely would be about $3 million."
Mike Trout is called up, which means less playing time for Bobby Abreu and Vernon Wells
August 20
Los Angeles Times
 
"There was heavy action Friday in the principal's office, where struggling outfielders Vernon Wells and Bobby Abreu were summoned for lengthy individual closed-door meetings with Manager Mike Scioscia and hitting coach Mickey Hatcher. Change was in the air, precipitated by the return of 20-year-old outfielder Mike Trout, who was called up from double-A Arkansas on Friday and will push Wells and Abreu into more part-time roles. Scioscia said the speedy Trout, who hit .163 but showed much promise during a three-week stint with the Angels in July, will start at least three or four times a week, mostly in the corner outfield spots and occasionally in center. Abreu, who entered Friday hitting"
Angels beat Yankees on Abreu's homer off Rivera
August 10
Orange County Register
 
"Considering the individual histories involved, it's difficult to say which was more surprising – Bobby Abreu's game-deciding home run, Jeff Mathis' two-run double to give the Angels a lead or Jordan Walden picking a runner off base to end the game. The improbabilities added up for the Angels in a 6-4 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday night when Abreu hit a two-run home run off Yankees closer Mariano Rivera with two outs in the ninth inning of a tie game. "Hit a homer off Mariano? That's unbelievable," Abreu said. "He's so tough to make good contact against. To hit a home run is something that's hard to believe. "I know – he's a pitcher, you're a hitter and you have a bat in your"
Bobby Abreu's 2012 option vests
August 1
MLB Trade Rumors
 
"When Bobby Abreu came to the plate against Jose Valverde in the ninth inning of today's game, it was his 433rd plate appearance of the season. Combined with last year's 667 plate appearances, it gives him an even 1,100 plate appearances from 2010-2011. That vests his 2012 option, worth $9MM. Abreu, 37, has hit a respectable .264/.380/.354 in those 433 PA this year, though his power numbers continue to decline with age."
Abreu's 1,400th walk comes on three balls
July 11
MLB.com
 
"Bobby Abreu's walk in the third inning of Sunday's 4-2 win against Seattle was significant for two reasons. It was the 1,400th of his career, the third-most among all active players. It also came on only three balls, but no one on the field appeared to notice -- although Abreu, Angels manager Mike Scioscia and Mariners manager Eric Wedge said they were aware. "It was funny. We'll take it," Abreu said with a grin on his face. "It's funny how it happened, and it's weird at the same time, because you have the professional umpire behind you that knows everything.""
Abreu wears out his stay
July 7
L.A. Daily News
 
"Bobby Abreu was ejected Tuesday night for the fifth time in his career for disputing a called third strike, never leaving the batter's box as home-plate umpire Angel Campos tossed him. And that, apparently, was the problem. "Angel said he let Bobby have his say and was going to let Bobby walk away but he didn't, and enough was enough," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. Scioscia, though, said he thought the ejection "was a little quick," and so did Abreu, whose 1,394 career walks rank 28th all-time. "They (umpires) know that I know the strike zone very well," Abreu said. "I don't argue with the umpires very often. In a way, he should have more respect, knowing me; I take a lot of pitches"
Veterans guide Angels to first place
July 5
Orange County Register
 
"It is not the last place you would have expected to find the Angels on the Fourth of July this year – but it wasn't the first place, either. The Angels reached the holiday in first place in the AL West for the fifth time in the past seven seasons (and stayed that way after a win over the Tiges). This time, though, it seemed like they got there with one arm tied behind their back – an offense that has been sporadic at best and must "get better," as Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Monday. "I don't feel any different," Scioscia said of his team's sharing first place with the Rangers. "We've started to get some wins and inch up there. It's really academic where you are right now. You might"
Hunter, Abreu and Wells kept together in lineup
July 5
L.A. Daily News
 
"Manager Mike Scioscia had a direct answer when asked about keeping the Torii Hunter-Bobby Abreu-Vernon Wells triumvirate connected in the lineup. "Probably because we've tried every other thing and we've probably gone the wrong direction," Scioscia said. Scioscia gathered the three players a few weeks ago and told them he was going to marry them in the middle of the order in an attempt to generate offense, and he stuck to that when Hunter returned to the lineup Monday night. And Hunter was back hitting second, where he was first placed in June after he hit there only 16 previous times in his career. He hasn't had much success, hitting only .135 (5 for 37) in the two spot coming into Monday"
Angels' Bobby Abreu is making some serious career moves
May 22
Los Angeles Times
 
"Bobby Abreu will never catch Lou Gehrig in home runs, runs batted in, batting average, on-base percentage or slugging percentage. He still needs more than 400 hits to catch the Iron Horse, who had 2,721 hits during his storied New York Yankees career. But the Angels designated hitter entered Saturday night's game against the Atlanta Braves with 533 career doubles, 33rd on baseball's all-time list and one behind Gehrig, who hit 534 from 1923-39. And any time your name and achievement are mentioned in the same sentence with Gehrig, that's a very good thing. "To be around a legend in the game, someone everyone talks about, to me, that's respect," Abreu, 37, said. "You play the game, you do"
McCann, not Ross, catches Jurrjens Sunday night
May 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he didn't want to be held to the Jair Jurrjens-David Ross battery, and he proved that on Sunday night when he started Brian McCann behind the plate. Ross had caught each of Jurrjens' first four starts - while he went 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA. But with a third consecutive night game in the series, and an off day Monday, Gonzalez went with McCann who is hitting .300 (12-for-40) for his career against Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels. Gonzalez wants to reserve the right to play matchups without having to cater to the "baseball gods" if Jurrjens and Ross get on a long winning streak together."
Abreu leaning to the left
April 14
Orange County Register
 
"The last time Bobby Abreu failed to play 150 games in the major leagues, he was a rookie with the Houston Astros. He still went by "Bob." If he does it this year, he'll pass Willie Mays to become the first player to play 150 games in 14 consecutive seasons. But after struggling in 2010 to hit left-handed pitchers, it seemed a real possibility he could be aging into a platoon role. In a small, early sample this year, Abreu has reversed that trend. After studying tape during the offseason and working to restore his swing against lefties, Abreu is batting .400, with a .500 on-base percentage, against left-handed pitchers. It's been only 18 plate appearances, far too soon to draw any"
Angels' loss spoils big hitting day for Bobby Abreu
April 4
Los Angeles Times
 
"Bobby Abreu couldn't remember the last time he had reached base seven times in a game. And it had been two years since he had five hits in one game. But Sunday's milestones weren't ones he felt like celebrating after the Angels lost again to the Kansas City Royals, this time 12-9 on Matt Treanor's 13th-inning home run. "You feel like you're doing your job. You get on base and score some runs. We make a nice comeback," he said. "But you want to just win the game. That's what's important for us and what really matters. "It's not easy when you have a game like this." Abreu's five hits were among 19 by the Angels. And he also had one of the team's five home runs. But the Angels again struggled"
Abreu ready for change in his job description
March 1
Orange County Register
 
"Bobby Abreu has played a lot of baseball. Now he's going to watch a lot of baseball too. The acquisition of Vernon Wells and the Angels' desire to make the superior defense of Wells, Peter Bourjos and Torii Hunter their primary outfield alignment has changed Abreu's job description as he heads into his 16th major-league season. Abreu figures to spend far more time at DH than in the outfield this year. "It's okay," said Abreu who was 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles in his spring debut Monday as the Angels beat the A's 8-7. "I think I have to make some adjustments, no doubt. I have to stay moving. I've always been on the field, in the action. Whenever I have a chance to talk to a DH guy, I'm"
Angels outfielder Bobby Abreu embraces DH role
February 22
Los Angeles Times
 
"A question about moving to designated hitter hadn't even been translated to English when former Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero, upon arriving at camp in 2008, began shaking his head firmly. "No, no," Guerrero said. "I'm a right fielder." No matter how much his defensive skills eroded, Guerrero always balked at being a DH, unless an injury prevented him from playing the field. There is no such resistance this spring from Bobby Abreu, who has yielded his corner outfield spot to Vernon Wells, the three-time Gold Glove winner acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays in January. Abreu, who turns 37 on March 11, will back up Wells in left field and Torii Hunter in right. After struggling"
Wagner takes clean slate, added motivation, into postseason
October 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"Braves closer Billy Wagner has a checkered postseason past. The veteran of seven playoff series with the Astros, Mets and Red Sox has a 10.32 ERA in 13 appearances. But something about having a short future keeps him from looking too far back. Wagner, 39, announced months ago he was going to retire at the end of the season. This is his last chance to reach the World Series before he packs it in and goes home to his farm in Crozet, Va. to shoot hoops with his kids and raises alpacas. Do-or-die has become part of his daily routine. Wagner has been finishing games all season knowing if he blows it, the Braves might not make the postseason, and he and Bobby Cox can't quite enjoy the fishing"
Abreu could be out in outfield shuffle
September 26
Orange County Register
 
"There are many scenarios for how the Angels' 2011 lineup might shape up. A lot of them include outfielder Bobby Abreu becoming the veteran-in-residence at DH. At age 36, Abreu made the move from right to left field this season as part of an outfield renovation aimed at addressing the defensive shortcomings of the Angels' corner outfielders. Abreu will be 37 next season and coming off what figures to be career lows in batting average and on-base percentage. But he isn't ready to become primarily a designated hitter. "No, not yet," he said to the idea. "I'm still moving the same. I feel like I can still play defense and be on the field without problems. My skills are still the same." Abreu"
'A five spot in the first' not nearly enough for Pavano
September 26
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Twins pulled Francisco Liriano from Friday's start because he was sick. They pulled Carl Pavano from Saturday's start because he was getting shelled. Two games into the series, Detroit has scored 21 runs. Not exactly what the Twins had hoped to see from their projected starters for Games 1 and 2 of the division series. Handed a five-run lead in the first inning, Pavano put the Twins behind when he gave up three home runs in the fourth. The Twins regained the lead with another five-run inning in the fifth, but Detroit came back again, finally winning 11-10 in the 13th on Brandon Inge's RBI single off Randy Flores. "I got a five-spot in the first inning; how many times do you get that?""
Abreu, Hunter feeling weight of responsibility
September 6
Orange County Register
 
"As the two veteran leaders on an underachieving team deprived of its best hitter, Torii Hunter and Bobby Abreu have carried a heavy load. And it has clearly worn on them. Hunter went 20 games without driving in a run his solo home run Saturday, essentially the longest RBI-less stretch of his major-league career. (His only longer streak, 22 games in 2000, was wrapped around a demotion to Triple-A.) And he has been a repeat offender when it comes to misguided overaggressive baserunning. Meanwhile, Abreu (who drove in three runs Sunday) appears headed to career full-season lows in batting average (.253), on-base percentage (.348) and slugging percentage (.428) and seems certain to fall short"
Angels outfielder Abreu's numbers Cooperstown-worthy?
August 17
L.A. Daily News
 
"There has been a handful of players who have made pit stops in Anaheim on their way to Cooperstown, such as Rod Carew, Reggie Jackson, Don Sutton and Dave Winfield. Is Bobby Abreu next? While Abreu never has been quite the hitter that struck fear in an opposing pitcher like a Jackson or Winfield, his career numbers speak for themselves. Abreu is one of only six players in major league history with at least 250 home runs, 2,000 hits, 1,000 runs, 1,000 RBIs, 1,000 walks and 300 stolen bases. He has spent his entire career - which began in 1991 when he was signed by the Houston Astros as a 16-year-old non-drafted free agent from Venezuela - compiling numbers season after season. He has put up"
Abreu flourishing in Angels' leadoff spot
August 15
Los Angeles Times
 
"Bobby Abreu has done more than give the Angels' offense a jolt since moving into the leadoff spot. The left fielder has also revitalized a season in which his numbers have uncharacteristically sagged, his .263 batting average and .356 on-base percentage before Saturday putting him on pace for career lows in a full season. "It's not the right numbers that you want," Abreu said. "But still, there are more games to come and the [batting] average is starting to get higher a little bit." Abreu's numbers are certainly on the uptick since Manager Mike Scioscia moved him atop the batting order; he was hitting .370 with four walks, three doubles, two homers and six runs batted in in his first 27"
Bobby Wilson powers Angels past Blue Jays, 7-2
August 15
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Angels were so thoroughly baffled by Toronto left-handed starter Marc Rzepczynski on Friday that Manager Mike Scioscia compared his hitters to Russian psychologist Ivan Pavlov's dog. "We were being led in a direction, and we didn't make the adjustments we needed to make," Scioscia said. A day later, against another Blue Jays left-hander, it was as though the Angels had snapped their leash and sprinted to freedom. Bobby Wilson hit two homers and drove in a career-high five runs and Hideki Matsui, making an increasingly rare start against a left-hander, added a season-high four hits to power a 7-2 victory Saturday at Angel Stadium. The Angels collected 10 of their 12 hits off Toronto"
Change at the top has sparked Angels
August 12
Orange County Register
 
"Bobby Abreu has been the leading man in the Angels' recent surge. Since Angels manager Mike Scioscia moved Abreu into the leadoff spot last week, the Angels have won five of six games. But Abreu was just 2 for 12 in the first three games as a leadoff hitter and only warmed to the new role during the sweep of the Royals, which culminated with his walkoff home run Wednesday afternoon. So how much credit does he deserve for sparking the surge? "I guess the way I've been taking pitches for the rest of the guys, they can see what a guy's throwing," said Abreu who was 7 for 12 against the Royals and is now batting .375 (9 for 24) as the leadoff hitter. "We've been winning. I've got no problem"
Abreu homer completes Angels' sweep of Royals
August 12
Orange County Register
 
"A week ago, as they were being swept by the Baltimore Orioles, the Angels seemed to have no fight left in them. But Wednesday afternoon, there was plenty of fight to be found in their clubhouse, as they watched ESPN's "SportsCenter" countdown of the "Top 10 Baseball Brawls." The video highlights drew much hooting, hollering and amateur commentary. The good cheer carried over from the field where Bobby Abreu's solo home run in the 10th inning gave the Angels a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals. It was the Angels' first walkoff win since back-to-back game-winners on Memorial Day weekend, which is also when Kendry Morales' season ended. The victory completed a sweep of the three-game"
Abreu's walk-off homer in the 10th completes Royal sweep for Angels
August 12
L.A. Daily News
 
"The Angels clubhouse was alive with hoots and hollers late Wednesday afternoon as the television showed a top 10 countdown of baseball fights over the years. Appropriately enough, the Angels are beginning to show some fight themselves. Since being swept by the lowly Baltimore Orioles last week, leaving them reeling and 10 games out of first place, the Angels have now won five of six, including a 2-1, 10-inning victory over the Kansas City Royals that completed a three-game sweep. Bobby Abreu slammed a changeup from Royals reliever Jesse Chavez into the right-field seats with one out in the 10th, sending the Angel Stadium crowd of 39,093 into late afternoon traffic with smiles on their"
Bobby Abreu's 10th-inning home run lifts Angels, 2-1
August 12
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Angels' clubhouse got a little raucous Wednesday, and it had nothing to do with a 2-1 win over Kansas City, a victory forged primarily on the arm of Jered Weaver and the bat of Bobby Abreu, whose 10th-inning home run gave the Angels their seventh walk-off win of the season and a three-game sweep of the Royals. Players gathered around the television to watch ESPN's video montage of baseball's top-10 bench-clearing brawls, cheering wildly as Nolan Ryan gripped a young Robin Ventura in a headlock and screaming in delight as Lou Piniella and Carlton Fisk exchanged blows after a play at the plate. It all seemed kind of fitting for a team that is feeling a little pugnacious after winning"
Abreu stars as Angels' leading man
August 10
L.A. Daily News
 
"Angels manager Mike Scioscia insists he doesn't look at the standings, though he did say Monday somebody told him his team was in third place in the American League West. That's been Scioscia's approach throughout his tenure with the club, focusing on the immediate task at hand, never looking back or too far ahead. And that's why despite being in third place, 8½ games out of first with 48 games to play, he says his team is in the mix to win the division title. For that to happen, it will need more nights like Monday, when it played a solid all- around game in a 6-4 win over the Kansas City Royals in front of 40,011 at Angel Stadium. New leadoff hitter Bobby Abreu was a triple short of the"
Bobby Abreu leads way in Angels' 6-4 win
August 10
Los Angeles Times
 
"If the Angels are to strike any fear into the heart of Texas, which seems poised to run away with the American League West title, they'd better start now, while the getting might be good. While the Rangers begin an eight-game stretch against AL East powers New York, Tampa Bay and Boston on Tuesday night, the Angels opened a three-game series against the lowly Kansas City Royals with a 6-4 victory Monday night in Angel Stadium. Bobby Abreu provided the bulk of the offense with a two-run home run and a two-run double, and Ervin Santana rebounded from his worst start of the year with a 61/3-inning, three-run, six-hit effort, as the Angels moved to within 81/2 games of Texas. The Angels aren't"
Shake up puts Abreu on top
August 7
Orange County Register
 
"Desperate times call for desperate measures. With the Angels' offense stalled since the All-Star break (if not most of the season), manager Mike Scioscia re-visited an idea he dismissed in spring training, moving Bobby Abreu into the leadoff spot for Friday's game in Detroit. It was just Abreu's 30th career start as a leadoff hitter and first since June 2, 2007 with the Yankees. "It's something we talked about for awhile - just trying to juggle some things and get some other guys going," Scioscia said of the move which created his 90th different lineup in 111 games this season. "It's been frustrating on the offensive side." Going into Friday's game, the Angels ranked 19th in the majors in"
Veterans Abreu, Matsui big part of Angels' offensive woes
July 8
Orange County Register
 
"If only they stocked power-hitting corner infielders at Costco."Not a day goes by that (Angels GM) Tony Reagins isn't looking at other solutions, both in-house and outside the organization," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of the team's search for an offensive boost. "It's a process and that process is ongoing.

"It's not just a matter of going to the grocery store and picking up what you need off the shelf. It's a complicated process."

The Angels' need to shop for an impact hitter like Adam Dunn in midseason might not be so pressing if two of their offseason purchases were producing more.

Both Bobby Abreu (the only one of last winter's six free agents the Angels"

Abreu helps Angels spoil Guerrero's return
June 30
L.A. Daily News
 
"The pitch before he hit a go-ahead, bases-loaded, two-out double, Angels right fielder Bobby Abreu was hoping he didn't get called out looking on strike three. Texas reliever Darren Oliver threw a 2-2 cutter just low and caused Abreu to take a mental sigh of relief. "I just thought, 'Woooo! that was close,'" Abreu said. "I was hoping not to be called out on strikes, because it could have gone either way." Abreu hit Oliver's next pitch, a breaking ball, to right field for a three-run double in the sixth inning that gave the Angels all the runs they needed in a 6-5 victory over the Rangers in front of 38,514 at Angel Stadium. Abreu's double scored Jeff Mathis, Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick,"
Abreu shows Cubs what they missed
June 20
Orange County Register
 
"The Cubs should have done their research. During the winter of Bobby Abreu's unemployment - before he signed as a free agent with the Angels in Feb. 2009 - the Cubs were rumored to be among his possible suitors. "I heard that, but they never called," Abreu said with a smile in the visitor's clubhouse at Wrigley Field after going 4 for 5 with a walk, two runs scored and one driven in for the Angels in their 12-0 victory Saturday. Abreu also had an RBI double in Friday's game and is a .368 career hitter at Wrigley Field (43 for 117) with 38 RBIs in 31 games here. "To me, it's a good place to hit," Abreu said. "You see the ball good here. Also the crowd here, they have the feeling here every"
Angels' Bobby Abreu plays in 2,000th career game
May 29
Los Angeles Times
 
"His first big league appearance came on Sept. 1, 1996, when he was announced as a pinch-hitter for the Houston Astros and pulled for another hitter after then- Pittsburgh Pirates Manager Jim Leyland made a pitching change. Almost 14 years later, Angels right fielder Bobby Abreu played in his 2,000th career game Friday night, with 1,353 of those games coming for the Philadelphia Phillies, 372 for the New York Yankees, 201 for the Angels and 74 with the Astros. "You never think you're going to play that many games," said Abreu. "When you're young, 17 or 18, you just want to make it to the big leagues; you just want to get there. Then you start putting up some numbers, and you want to get to"
Abreu makes up for mistake with winning hit
May 27
Orange County Register
 
"It's a nice way to say, "My bad." Bobby Abreu's two-out game-ending single in the ninth inning Wednesday reclaimed a 6-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays that his error and another shaky performance by the Angels bullpen nearly let get away. "I'm the one who just screwed up in the ninth inning," Abreu said. "You don't want to lose a game like that so it's good to have a comeback." Abreu was only a co-conspirator in the blown lead. Kevin Jepsen and Brian Fuentes did their part after Hideki Matsui's two-run home run in the sixth inning gave the Angels a 5-3 lead and hope that Matsui was emerging from his prolonged slump. "My mindset is still the same even though it was quite a period of"
Angels' Abreu fixes mistake with winning hit
May 27
L.A. Daily News
 
"A group hug for Bobby Abreu after a game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth sure beats the alternative. Which was a chorus of groans from an Angel Stadium crowd a half-inning earlier after he fumbled away a fly ball in right field. That error led to the tying run scoring and a sense of dread that the Angels bullpen was about to fail again. So Abreu fixed it with a two-out, bases-loaded single into left field to give the Angels an uneven 6-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday. "I'm the one who screwed up," said Abreu, who had trouble picking up a fly ball by the Blue Jays' Alex Gonzalez in the setting sky and watched it kick off his glove after he called off second baseman"
Bobby Abreu's single in ninth leads Angels past Blue Jays
May 27
Los Angeles Times
 
"There was no sugarcoating it. Closer Brian Fuentes was tagged with the blown save in the top of the ninth inning Wednesday, but it was right fielder Bobby Abreu's fielding gaffe that allowed Toronto to score the tying run. "I'm the one who screwed up in the ninth," Abreu said. "It was my fault." That just made the bottom of the ninth sweeter for Abreu and the Angels, who notched their fourth walk-off win of the season when Abreu slapped a two-out, bases-loaded single to left field for a 6-5 victory over the Blue Jays at Angel Stadium. Mike Napoli opened the ninth with a double to left-center — 17 of his last 24 hits have been for extra bases — and went to third base on Maicer Izturis'"
Bobby Abreu finds two ways to double up
May 1
Los Angeles Times
 
"Bobby Abreu entered Friday night's game 10 doubles shy of 500, a milestone that, when reached, will make the Angels right fielder only the fifth player in major league history with 2,000 hits, 500 doubles, 250 home runs, 350 stolen bases and 1,000 walks. The others are Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Rickey Henderson and two players worthy of Hall of Fame consideration, Barry Bonds and Craig Biggio. Abreu moved a step closer to thatgroup with double No. 491 in the third inning Friday night, but this one won't make his greatest-hits list. "America's Funniest Home Videos" might call for the tape, though. Erick Aybar, on first base after his single, took off for second on a hit-and-run play,"
Abreu: Angels' solid-state drive
April 27
Los Angeles Times
 columnist Bill Dwyre
"Bobby Abreu is like trucks on the freeway. He is always there. He is as consistent as your neighbor's barking dog, only less noisy. He is a given. The Angels play a game, Abreu will be in right field. A day without No. 53 in the lineup is also known as a day off. Last season, Abreu played 150 games or more for the 12th consecutive season. The only others to have done that are Willie Mays, Billy Williams, Pete Rose and Cal Ripken. The only time Abreu would miss a day of work is for a death in the family. His. It isn't as if he has been in Angels' red forever. It just feels that way. He arrived to start the 2009 season, a free agent who became expendable to the Yankees when they signed some"
Abreu: 'I'm a slow starter.'
April 10
Orange County Register
 
"The Bobby Abreu Angels fans have seen through four games isn't the one they remember from 2009. He's not hitting (3-for-15), he's not walking (one walk in 16 plate appearances), and he's not running (zero stolen bases). But that's the way the first few weeks of the season have usually gone for the Angels' right fielder, and it doesn't seem like there's a whole lot he can do about it. In April, Abreu's OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) is nearly .7 lower than it is in any other month. "Some guys get off to good starts. There's no trick to having a good start, but you can see it. Sometimes you make good swings; sometimes you make bad swings," Abreu said. "There's nothing that you can"
Injuries sideline Aybar, Abreu and Willits
March 15
MLB.com
 
"Shortstop Erick Aybar and outfielders Bobby Abreu and Reggie Willits were held out of the Angels' lineup because of injuries on Monday for the club's Cactus League contest against the Dodgers at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Aybar, who has battled stiffness in his right arm this spring, hasn't started since Wednesday and was held out for precautionary reasons. But Aybar said his arm is feeling better and that he expects to start at shortstop in the coming days. "I threw yesterday," Aybar said. "If it were the regular season, I'd be playing. Even here, I'll be back this week." Angels manager Mike Scioscia had similar hopes for Aybar and said he's expected to be the club's designated hitter on"
Abreu is scratched, Aybar remains sidelined
March 14
Los Angeles Times
 
"Angels right fielder Bobby Abreu was scratched from Sunday's exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs because of tightness in his side, and shortstop Erick Aybar, who has some forearm stiffness, was not in the lineup for the fifth straight day. When Aybar was asked about his sore arm Wednesday, he said he thought he would return to the lineup by the next day. But Manager Mike Scioscia said there was "no sense in pushing it," adding that Aybar was just experiencing the usual spring-training soreness players often feel."
Angels re-sign outfielder Bobby Abreu
November 6
Los Angeles Times
 
"Last summer the Angels spent about $1,600 buying a couple of baubles for Bobby Abreu in recognition of career milestones the outfielder achieved largely while playing for other teams. As it turns out, that might be the best money the team has ever spent. Because Thursday the outfielder announced he would pass up free agency to re-sign with the Angels. And he said those two crystal mementos helped seal the deal. "Those trophies they gave me, it meant a lot," Abreu said. "And I really respect the Angels for doing that." Of course the fact the club followed up with a two-year, $19-million contract with a club option for a third season at $9 million didn't hurt either."
Angels, Abreu agree to new contract
November 5
Orange County Register
 
"On the first day eligible players can file for free agency, the Angels headed that off with one of their seven potential free agents by reaching agreement with outfielder Bobby Abreu on a two-year contract with a club option for 2012. Abreu, 35, signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Angels on the eve of spring training this year. He hit .293 with 96 runs scored, 103 RBI and 30 stolen bases. "I am very happy to sign this contract," Abreu said in the team's press release. "I really enjoyed my first season with the club. The Angels are a solid organization, with an outstanding team and great fans. With the talent we have, I look forward to the opportunity of post-season competition once"
Angels facing roster dilemma
October 27
Orange County Register
 columnist Mark Whicker
"Last year, Mark Teixeira, Frankie Rodriguez and Garret Anderson were in the Angels' graduating class of sixth-year seniors. They were the free agents who left and probably were taking the Angels' AL West title with them. The Angels went to spring training anyway, and went a step further in the playoffs than they did in 2008 and, probably, wound up a better team. It's not a half-empty, half-full thing. It's the hole-in-the-water theory. Eventually, it gets filled. This year the class is bigger and more substantial. The hole is deeper, too, and there's a water shortage. The possible free agents are John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero, Chone Figgins, Bobby Abreu and Darren Oliver. Those are vital"
Mets not interested in Lackey or Bradley; Holliday tops their list
October 26
SI.com
 (scroll down)
"The Mets don't seem inclined to pursue top free-agent pitcher John Lackey, who will surely shoot for a $100 million-plus contract in light of A.J. Burnett's $82.5 million deal. They do want to add a solid starting pitcher (they may try a do-over on Randy Wolf), but their big-ticket target is most likely going to be a left fielder. Matt Holliday is believed to top their list, though Jason Bay will certainly suffice. Bobby Abreu is another top free-agent outfielder, while Carl Crawford could be available in trade. The Mets have no interest in taking on Milton Bradley's problems."
Abreu a good influence for Angels
October 16
Florida Today
 
"He might never get to Cooperstown, but his name sure pops up in the conversation with many of the game's all-time immortals. Bobby Abreu is the fifth player in big-league history with five seasons of at least 30 stolen bases and 100 RBI, joining Honus Wagner, Hugh Duffy, Ty Cobb and Barry Bonds. And he is the fifth player to have played in 150 or more games for 12 consecutive seasons, joining Willie Mays (13), Billy Williams, Pete Rose and Cal Ripken Jr. (12 each). But he doesn't have a World Series ring, and [0x07]Abreu is hoping to get a step closer to that, at the expense of his former team in his first-ever league championship series. "It means a lot for me, especially in my career,"
Thanks to ex-Yankees outfielder Bobby Abreu, Angels more patient
October 15
New York Daily News
 
"Bobby Abreu has so many reasons to be upset: The Yankees didn't think he was worth the money. A number of teams expressed interest in him last winter but balked at the idea of giving him a multi-year contract. A tremendous career, including six straight seasons with 100 RBI and 20 steals, was given little value. He is not unhappy, however. In fact, he is filled with glee. You can see it when you talk to him in the Los Angeles Angels clubhouse, and it was there in his smile on Sunday after his two-out double off Jonathan Papelbon knocked in the first of the three runs the Halos scored off Boston's closer to come from behind for a Game 3 victory and sweep of the ALDS. "This is one of the"
Angels right fielder Bobby Abreu brings most from coast to coast
October 15
New York Daily News
 columnist John Harper
"Let's not pretend there isn't a culture clash here that adds intrigue to what promises to be a riveting series between the Angels and Yankees. Maybe it doesn't bring the open animosity of New York vs. Boston, but East Coast vs. West Coast has its own hostilities, especially as they apply to baseball. This is about the fans mostly - the usual anti-New York sentiment you see and hear around the country - but you hear and sense grumblings from ballplayers as well who resent the perception that the world revolves around the Yankees and Red Sox because Fox and ESPN constantly shove the rivalry down their throats. In that sense, the Angels are being widely romanticized as America's"
Ex-Yankee Bobby Abreu was a perfect fit for the L.A. Angels
October 14
The Times of Trenton
 
"To appreciate the length of a typical Bobby Abreu at-bat, consider what it's like for the player who hits behind him. When Abreu steps to the plate, Torii Hunter steps into the on-deck circle. He puts a weight on his bat. He takes several practice swings. Then a few more. Eventually, Hunter stops. With his bat resting on his shoulder, he wonders when it will be his turn to hit. "I'm going crazy," Hunter said. "But I'm pumped up, because he's staying alive, staying alive. He's not striking out or anything like that. He's fouling balls off." This is what Abreu does. He waits for his preferred pitch to hit, with rare exceptions. And in doing so, he makes others wait for him, from the opposing"
Bobby Abreu gets no love in Boston
October 12
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Boston Red Sox were in agreement: They do not like Bobby Abreu. It was the ultimate compliment for the veteran right fielder, whose fingerprints were all over the Angels' three-game American League division series sweep of the Red Sox. "I can do without Abreu," Boston third baseman Mike Lowell said. "I felt like he was on base the whole damn series. I mean, I like the guy, but I don't like him that much." Next to Lowell in the losing clubhouse was reliever Billy Wagner, who gave up a leadoff double to Abreu in the eighth inning, the hit that sparked the comeback that gave the Angels a 7-6, series-clinching win in Fenway Park. "I hate Bobby Abreu," Wagner said. "Tell him I said that.""