There was also this from George A. King III:If you want something out of the ordinary this offseason, try this on for size: the top right fielder on the free-agent market is a Yankee, wants to stay a Yankee, and the Yankees might let him walk away.
You read that right. Bobby Abreu’s stated first choice this winter is to remain in the Bronx, but the Bombers have a surplus of outfielders - Melky Cabrera, Johnny Damon, Brett Gardner, Hideki Matsui and Xavier Nady - under contract, in addition to the organization’s top hitting prospect, Austin Jackson.
“Bobby’s definitely very happy with the Yankees and he’s enjoyed his time with the Yankees, and it’s his first choice to come back,” said Chris Leible, one of Abreu’s agents. “But it’s just wait and see what happens.”
The Yankees have discussed internally about retaining the left-handed hitter who will be 35 in March on a one-year contract even if it means his salary being determined through the arbitration process.
The Yankees will offer Abreu arbitration by Dec. 7 for two reasons. If he declines, they receive draft picks when he signs with another team. If Abreu accepts arbitration, he is considered a signed player.
I've said before that I don't think the Yankees should bring him back and I still believe that. He's very good offensively, but he's become a liability on the defensive side of the ball, and the Yankees must improve defensively. Bill James' Fielding Bible ranked Abreu the second worst right fielder in the game with a -24 on the plus/minus ratings.
2 Comments:
It's time Bobby walked. The Yankees have a surplus of outfielders under contract and need in other parts of the field. There is no reason to pay a 35 year old over 15 million a year unless they can play a key role on the team. That's not Abreu. The Yankees need to get younger and phasing guys like Abreu out is the start.
I agree. I'd say bye-bye to Bobby.
Mike
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