Bobby Abreu News: Pro Sports Daily

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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." ..."

Abreu: I want to stay with Angels

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October 10

L.A. Daily News

"Bobby Abreu hopes to be back with the Angels next season. Abreu was a steal for the Angels at one year and $5 million. He should be tagged a player/coach for all the work he's done with young players, helping them realize the importance of patience at the plate and believing a walk is just as good as a hit. Abreu, 35, wants his impact in Anaheim to continue. "Of course I want to be back," he said. "I have a good time over here. This organization, the team, the manager and the fans, too, they've treated me very well here. I think they really appreciate the job that I've been doing all year round. "Of course I want to come back. I don't want to go nowhere else. I want to stay with the ..."

For Angels outfielder Abreu, numbers haven't added up to MVP

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October 7

L.A. Daily News

"Bobby Abreu has done just about everything in his career except scream, "Look at me! Look at me!" Abreu has Hall of Fame-worthy numbers, but he can't even sniff a Most Valuable Player award. Abreu might finally get his due this postseason, if the Angels can finally beat the Red Sox in the American League Division Series. Abreu is batting .293 with 15 home runs, 103 RBIs, 94 walks and 30 stolen bases. He's one of six players, along with Bonds, Craig Biggio, Joe Morgan, Rickey Henderson and Willie Mays, to collect 250 home runs, 2,000 hits, 1,000 runs, 1,000 RBI, 1,000 walks and 300 stolen bases. "It's something I don't control," Abreu said before the Angels' workout Tuesday. "I put up my ..."

Reagins: No offer yet to Abreu

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October 7

Los Angeles Times

"Angels General Manager Tony Reagins today denied that the team has made an offer to retain outfielder Bobby Abreu. Reagins said he does not plan to extend offers to any of the Angels' pending free agents until after the season. He said an si.com report yesterday that said the Angels had made an offer to Abreu was not correct. Abreu wants to return to the Angels, and Reagins said the Angels want him back. "There's a mutual interest," Reagins said. "We'll see how it goes." Reagins said he speaks regularly with Peter Greenberg, the agent for Abreu. Greenberg also represents infielder Maicer Izturis and pitcher Kelvim Escobar, who was shut down for the season after he struggled to come back ..."

Abreu sits out Sunday's game

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September 21

Los Angeles Times

"Nearing the end of a grueling season-ending stretch in which they'll play 50 games in 52 days, Angels Manager Mike Scioscia gave right fielder and No. 3 batter Bobby Abreu, who is hitless in 12 at-bats over his last three games, Sunday off. "He's played a lot down the stretch, so we'll try to freshen him up a bit and get him back in there at home," Scioscia said. "At this point of the season, you want to be a step ahead of things if you can. At times, it's important to sit back and watch a game." With left-hander Andy Pettitte scheduled to start tonight for the New York Yankees in Anaheim, first baseman Kendry Morales probably will sit back and watch the series opener. Morales was being ..."

Chicago White Sox setting table for off-season moves

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September 11

Chicago Tribune

"Addressing the White Sox's priorities for 2010 will be more complex than simply signing Angels free agents Chone Figgins and Bobby Abreu to fill their leadoff and left-handed run-producing concerns. General manager Ken Williams is placing his immediate thrust in this season's final 21 games toward seeing if the Sox can make a late push toward the American League Central title and aligning the team quickly for what could be an unpredictable off-season. "First, I have to let this play out and see how we finish, what that means in terms of next year's projections. Once marketing and sales gives us all the information, [Sox Chairman] Jerry Reinsdorf will give me a budget number," Williams ..."

Abreu knows the problem with his hitting

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September 6

Los Angeles Times

"There is no secret to Bobby Abreu's offensive struggles, which have extended into a fifth week. The American League player of the month in July, when he hit .380 with 28 runs batted in, Abreu knows exactly why he is hitting .214 (25 for 117) with four home runs and 14 RBIs in 32 games since Aug. 1. "I've been pulling the ball too much -- that's why I'm in such a big slump," the Angels' right fielder said. "They're pitching me different now, especially with runners in scoring position. I have to be patient and get back to my normal approach, which is hitting middle-away." The opposite-field single he lined to left field off Royals ace Zack Greinke in the fourth inning Saturday was a step in ..."

Bobby Abreu leads by example

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September 4

Los Angeles Times

"He is the anti-Vladdy, a picture of patience and plate discipline who has imposed his will on the Angels in the six months he has been here, so much so that it is not only the young players who flock to him for advice and guidance. Even Torii Hunter, an old dog in his 12th major league season, has learned some new tricks from Bobby Abreu, the veteran right fielder who has helped transform the Angels into one of baseball's most prolific offensive clubs. "I've been an aggressive swinger my whole career -- I still put up pretty good numbers -- but I always wanted to hit .300 in the big leagues, at least once," Hunter said. "Bobby has helped me out mentally just by talking about baseball, ..."

Bobby Abreu has had an effect on Angels' offense

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August 23

Los Angeles Times

"Bobby Abreu had an off day Saturday, going 0 for 5 with three strikeouts, but the veteran right fielder's impact this season has been far-reaching in terms of plate discipline and patience. In the previous five seasons, the Angels averaged 3.65 pitches per plate appearance, ranking 12th, 13th or last in the American League in that category each year. This season, the Angels rank fourth in the AL with an average of 3.88 pitches per plate appearance, and they have had their most productive offense in years, leading the major leagues in average, runs and hits and ranking second in the AL in on-base percentage. Leadoff batter Chone Figgins has played a huge role -- he ranks third in the league ..."

Abreu has been the best bargain in baseball

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August 20

Orange County Register

"When Bobby Abreu signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Angels on the eve of spring training this year, he knew it meant he would enter next winter with an uncertain future. But he knows one thing for sure now. "I would say I don't think it's going to go the same as last year," he said with a smile before Wednesday's game. "I don't think it will be the same. I think it will be a lot different. "Last year, there were no offers at all. I think it's going to be different this year." Last year, Abreu was left out in a cold economic climate after the Yankees elected not to re-sign him. He found himself uncomfortably unemployed until his agent contacted the Angels in mid-February. This ..."

Abreu is doing everything right in place of injured Guerrero

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July 24

L.A. Daily News

"Bobby Abreu's play in right field continues to make it obvious that the Vladimir Guerrero era is coming to an end. Abreu has given the Angels everything they could have wanted from a guy making $5million plus incentives for one season. The veteran entered Thursday's game against the Minnesota Twins with a .305 batting average, seven home runs and 63 RBIs. Not only that, but the 35-year-old had 20 steals and had been caught only fourtimes. "We hope he's here past this year," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. Guerrero also has a contract that expires after this year, a season that has been marred by injuries to a chest muscle and his right hamstring, as well as the upper calf. The Angels ..."

Bobby Abreu is an executive producer

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July 22

Los Angeles Times

"For much of April and May, the biggest question surrounding Bobby Abreu was this: When would the Angels outfielder hit his first home run? That shot finally came on May 26, in the Angels' 45th game of the season, and while the home runs have not flown off the 35-year-old's bat -- he has only seven this season after hitting 20 for the Yankees in 2008 -- there are no questions about Abreu's production. Abreu had three run-scoring doubles in the nightcap of the Angels' doubleheader sweep of the Kansas City Royals Tuesday night and is now batting .310 with 20 doubles and a team-leading 63 RBIs. He has 47 of those RBIs in his last 45 games, and he leads the Angels with 16 go-ahead RBIs. He is ..."

Angels not concerned about Bobby Abreu's power outage

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May 14

Los Angeles Times

"The Angels did not expect Bobby Abreu to hit 35 home runs this season. Though he averaged 22 homers over the last nine years, Abreu played his home games in hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium and Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park. He also turned 35 in March, an age when power usually tends to tail off. But the Angels did expect more power than Abreu has supplied so far, which is none. Abreu has a .302 average, .397 on-base percentage and 12 runs batted in but no homers in 116 at-bats. Of his 34 hits, 30 are singles, not the kind of power you'd expect out of a No. 3 hitter. "I've been hitting the ball good -- I'm just not elevating," said Abreu, who hasn't homered since Sept. 24, 2008. "I'm the ..."

Abreu pores over opposition's video

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May 10

MLB.com

"Bobby Abreu went to the video room on Saturday afternoon in the Angels' clubhouse to view a smash hit: "Zack Greinke At Work." The video has all of baseball buzzing, especially fans in Kansas City unaccustomed to having one of their players identified by a national magazine as "the best pitcher in baseball." Whether Greinke has reached that level is open to debate, but he certainly has climbed the charts with a 6-0 start and two earned runs allowed in 45 innings for a stunning 0.40 ERA. He has yielded 30 hits (for a .189 average against) and eight walks while striking out 54 hitters. "I like to take a look at a guy, his last start or two," Abreu said. "It will let me know his philosophy, ..."