The Los Angeles Angels have seemingly cornered the market on first base/corner outfield/DH-type guys. LA already had a bevy of these kinds of players before they went out and signed arguably the best first baseman in the game, Albert Pujols. Now, Jayson Stark of ESPN hears that with their depth, the Angels are likely to make a trade this spring.
Stark spoke with a National League executive who told him that “there’s no team in baseball more likely to make a deal this spring than the Angels”. The Angels have young sluggers Mark Trumbo and Kendrys Morales to pair with Pujols along with veteran outfielder/DH Bobby Abreu. Stark says that if Morales is able to DH for the Angels, Abreu may be the odd man out.
LA has been seeking bullpen help all offseason, and Stark said the Angels would love to flip Abreu for a reliever. Still, Stark spoke with an official of one club that’s been in contact with the Angels who said LA would trade Abreu for a “middle prospect, just to move the money”.
Abreu is set to make $9 million in 2012, so the contract wouldn’t be an especially easy one to swallow for the club acquiring him. This is not the Home Run Derby Champ-version of Bobby Abreu we’re talking about. It’s the one that only managed a .717 OPS in 2011.
Still, Abreu has proven durable over the years and does possess some attractive qualities. While his slugging percentage dropped to a career low last season, Abreu did manage to tally an on base percentage of .353. The soon-to-be 38-year-old also swiped 21 bags in 2011, and while his defense is shaky, he can still man the outfield. Abreu also notched 30 doubles last season, giving him 14-straight years with 29 or more two-baggers.
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