Bobby Abreu Signs $19 Million Deal With Angels
One of Baseball’s Most Underrated Player Signs Free Agent Deal
Nov 7, 2009
The Los Angeles Angels signed Bobby Abreu to a two-year deal that will pay the right fielder $9 million in 2010 and 2011. The team has an option for another year that will also pay Abreu $9 million. The buyout figure is $1 million. At a minimum, Abreu will make $19 million.
Bobby Abreu's 2008 Free Agency Didn't Go Well
It’s a big change from the 2008 offseason, when fears of a Great Depression made several otherwise valuable free agents looking for jobs as late as March. Abreu was one of those players. He made $16 million in 2008 with the New York Yankees, and, at least early in the free agent season, was looking for a multi-year deal at around the same annual pay.
There were no takers. He went months without a job until the Angel signed him on February 12 for what turned out to be the most cost efficient deal of the offseason: one year, $5 million.
Abreu's Great Season Made Him Indispensable
Abreu responded with a stellar season. He hit .293 with a .390 on base percentage, drove in 103 runs and stole 30 bases. Abreu is also credited with holding together the team’s offense when sluggers Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero were on the disabled list.
The deal is the first signing of a potentially valuable free agent, and in some ways, will set the market for bigger (and younger) outfield stars Jason Bay and Matt Holliday. For a player who didn’t have a job seven months ago, and who turns 36 in March, it’s a nice deal for a player who has quietly been one of the most productive offensive players of the past dozen years. A quick review of his Abreu’s career statistics reveals a player who does everything well, and does it consistently, year in and year out.
Bobby Abreu’s Career Statistics
In twelve full major league seasons, Bobby Abreu has a .299 batting average a .404 on base percentage. He has 483 doubles, 256 home runs and 348 stolen bases. Abreu has played at least 150 games in each of his 12 seasons, and during those years, drove in more than 100 runs in 8 seasons, and scored at least 100 runs in 9 seasons. The three years when he didn’t reach the century mark in runs scored, Bobby scored 99, 98 and 96, respectively.
Abreu is also a maddeningly patient hitter with a great eye and an ability to fight off pitches that would strike others out. In addition to his eight seasons with 100 or more walks, Abreu has led the league in pitches per plate appearance and total pitches seen in multiple seasons.
That kind of patience and tenacity wears out pitchers and makes Abreu even better than his already impressive traditional statistics reflect.
If Abreu can continue to play at this level over the next two years (when he will be 36 and 37 years old, respectively), he will be worth every penny.
