Angels close to dealing Bobby Abreu to Cleveland

[NAHSTE]

... all those who own Angels corner bats rejoice.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/j...u-deal-a-boost-to-all-but-especially-to-bobby

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The trade of the Bobby Abreu from the Angels to the Indians will be a boost to both teams once it's finalized. And to Abreu, as well.

The deal, which is expected to be completed soon, helps Cleveland, which has a paucity of outfielders following the injury to longtime Indian Grady Sizemore. It helps the Angels since it was clear he no longer fit on the roster once Kendrys Morales showed he was healthy and ready to be the starting DH. The Angels have Mark Trumbo in reserve, as well, so they are plenty deep, and it became hard to imagine how Abreu would get any at-bats there.

The deal may benefit Abreu most of all, though, since he was not ready to adapt to a deep bench role and wants to play two to three more years to enhance his Hall of Fame chances. This is the last year of his contract, so he needs to show he has something left, and he wasn't going to be able to do that with the Angels.

Cleveland was planning to start Shelley Duncan in left field, though they were trying hard to add a bat. The Indians preferred a righthanded hitter and a player who could play some center field, but they mostly needed a bat. Abreu fills that need. He hasn't exactly lit it up in spring, starting four for 46, but he knew pretty much from the start of spring that he didn't fit on the Angels.

The deal presumably will need commissioner's approval before it is finalized, as the Angels surely are sending the bulk of Abreu's $9-million salary to Cleveland.

 

[Rudi]

4-46 . . . ouch.

 

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In other news, Jon Heyman is a terrible "baseball expert". Abreu needs to play a few more years to "enhance his Hall of Fame chances."

:yao:

 

[Sigona]

More play for Mark Trumbo, horray.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

In other news, Jon Heyman is a terrible "baseball expert". Abreu needs to play a few more years to "enhance his Hall of Fame chances."

:yao:

To be fair, I think he's saying Abreu wants to play a few more years to enhance his HOF chances.

IMO, Jon Heyman is the best insider around when it comes to inside info and scoops.

 

[Leftwich]

I completely forgot about him.

 

[Slateman]

What are they trading for him?

 

[FedEx227]

Deal died.

 

[Slateman]

Any rumors on what the Indians were offering?

Abreu would be a nice bat for the Nats to pick up. Play Werth in CF for a little while. Either move Laroche at the deadline or just sit him when Harper comes up. Would give them a guy they could hit number 2 that doesn't swing at every pitch they see ...

 

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Buster Olney made a good point on twitter today, rather than Cleveland giving up anything (even if it's just a mediocre bullpen arm) for Abreu, why not just sign Damon?

Abreu would be a nice bat for the Nats to pick up. Play Werth in CF for a little while.

:lol:

Abreu in the National League? Blocking your best position player for no reason? Sounds like a great idea!

Either move Laroche at the deadline or just sit him when Harper comes up. Would give them a guy they could hit number 2 that doesn't swing at every pitch they see ...

:lol:

You would rather give an aging Bobby Abreu second-half at bats over Adam LaRoche, he of the .900 career OPS in July/Aug/Sep?

 

[FedEx227]

Why has nobody ever thought of it!

I agree, I'd almost rather at this point rather have Damon.

 

[Maynard]

... all those who own Angels corner bats rejoice.

whats do you mean?

 

[FedEx227]

The better corner bat guys that would like playing time if it wasn't given to fat, bad Bobby Abreu.

 

[Slateman]

Buster Olney made a good point on twitter today, rather than Cleveland giving up anything (even if it's just a mediocre bullpen arm) for Abreu, why not just sign Damon?



:lol:

Abreu in the National League? Blocking your best position player for no reason? Sounds like a great idea!




:lol:

You would rather give an aging Bobby Abreu second-half at bats over Adam LaRoche, he of the .900 career OPS in July/Aug/Sep?

Best position player? What? Morse in LF, Werth in CF, Abreu in RF. That's a better lineup then Morse in LF, Bernadina in CF, Werth in RF.

Laroche is coming off a torn rotator labrum and is on the last year of a deal. Morse is clearly the first baseman for the long term so Laroche will not be returning, even if he isn't traded.

What the Nationals do need is a decent outfielder who can hold a place for a year or two till the Nationals sort out their outfield prospects. Oh, and it would be nice to have someone in hitting first or second who DOESN'T strikeout 150+ times a season.

 

[NAHSTE]

Best position player? What?

Eh, I was talking about Bryce Harper. But even without an elite corner OF prospect within the system, it'd be absolutely retarded for any NL team to give at bats to Bobby Abreu. It's even that much more retarded for a club like the Nationals to do it, given who they have waiting in the wings.

Morse in LF, Werth in CF, Abreu in RF. That's a better lineup then Morse in LF, Bernadina in CF, Werth in RF.

Um, not really. Abreu hit .250 with 8 HR in nearly 600 PA. Bernadina did as much in 300 PA, and that's before we factor in defense.

Laroche is coming off a torn rotator labrum and is on the last year of a deal. Morse is clearly the first baseman for the long term so Laroche will not be returning, even if he isn't traded.

Okay. And what at all does that have to do with Bobby Abreu being a washed up bum? Nobody is saying you have to commit to LaRoche long term, but taking away his second-half at bats, when that's literally the only time period he's ever been productive, in order to give at bats to a washed up OFer entering his age 38 season is, frankly, retarded.

What the Nationals do need is a decent outfielder who can hold a place for a year or two till the Nationals sort out their outfield prospects.

Abreu is anything but a decent outfielder at this point in his career.

 

[Slateman]

Eh, I was talking about Bryce Harper. But even without an elite corner OF prospect within the system, it'd be absolutely retarded for any NL team to give at bats to Bobby Abreu. It's even that much more retarded for a club like the Nationals to do it, given who they have waiting in the wings.



Um, not really. Abreu hit .250 with 8 HR in nearly 600 PA. Bernadina did as much in 300 PA, and that's before we factor in defense.



Okay. And what at all does that have to do with Bobby Abreu being a washed up bum? Nobody is saying you have to commit to LaRoche long term, but taking away his second-half at bats, when that's literally the only time period he's ever been productive, in order to give at bats to a washed up OFer entering his age 38 season is, frankly, retarded.



Abreu is anything but a decent outfielder at this point in his career.

Bryce Harper won't be up until after the ASB, at the earliest. He isn't ready. Especially against lefties. Beyond him, we don't have anyone worth putting in the outfield (except Werth if he can hit like the second half of last season) until 2014, at the earliest.

The Nats have a left fielder playing right field, a first baseman playing left field and a toss up in center between a guy NOBODY (Ankiel) wanted and Bernedina.

Bobby Abreu's OBP would put him third on the team. His strikeout rate would be one of the lowest on the team.

Who is committing to Abreu long term? He comes in for a year or two, that's it.

Abreu is decent compared to Bernadina. I'd take Damon too. Not saying they would be all stars or good. But it's better than the Triple A backups we could have out there now. And, again, it would be nice to have someone hitting first or second who can take a pitch or two once in a while.

 

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Bryce Harper won't be up until after the ASB, at the earliest. He isn't ready. Especially against lefties.

All the more reason to bring in another left-handed bat, amirite? Whenever Harp needs a day off against a tough leftie in the second half of the year, you can just spell him with Bobby Abreu. You know, since Abreu hit .238/.319/.279 against lefties last season.

:joeybats:

Beyond him, we don't have anyone worth putting in the outfield (except Werth if he can hit like the second half of last season) until 2014, at the earliest.

You can find something better than Abreu.

The Nats have a left fielder playing right field, a first baseman playing left field and a toss up in center between a guy NOBODY (Ankiel) wanted and Bernedina.

Might as well throw a designated hitter (who can't hit) into the mix!

Who is committing to Abreu long term? He comes in for a year or two, that's it.

LOL, I thought the Nationals were trying to win soon. You really want him on your team in 2013? Much less, 2012?

 

[Slateman]

All the more reason to bring in another left-handed bat, amirite? Whenever Harp needs a day off against a tough leftie in the second half of the year, you can just spell him with Bobby Abreu. You know, since Abreu hit .238/.319/.279 against lefties last season.

:joeybats:




You can find something better than Abreu.



Might as well throw a designated hitter (who can't hit) into the mix!




LOL, I thought the Nationals were trying to win soon. You really want him on your team in 2013? Much less, 2012?

Who is better that is available? Because, apparently the Nationals can't find something better. Rick Ankiel is the every day starting CF. And he's healthy so we get Bernadina.

If Morse doesn't hit like he did last year, the Nationals will be bottom in the league in offense