Abreu And Phillies Together Again?
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, September 17, 2008 01:22 PM | Comments: 57
Posts
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports Bobby Abreu will not be re-signed, and is likely to see the door in New York.
Abreu played eight and a half seasons with the Phillies, and has a .300 career average with 238 home runs and 1,073 RBI. He ranks first in Phillies history in on-base percentage (.416), eighth in runs and 11th in hits. He’s considered one of the franchises’ greatest players.
There is a possibility Abreu could return to Philadelphia. With Pat Burrell’s possible departure an outfield hole opens, and the Phils will almost have to fill it via free agency or trade. Early options include Juan Rivera and Raul Ibanez, not really the most admirable options. The Phils could slot Jayson Werth into left and seek a right fielder in the offseason. That would make Abreu an option.
With 17 HR and 89 RBI, Abreu won’t put up big power numbers anymore. But his .372 on-base mark is still strong, and he saw 4.30 pitches per appearance, good for fifth in the American League. That kind of patience is a dire need for the Phils offense. Moreover, he wouldn’t have the same role on the ’09 Phils as he did on the ’06 team (being the star).
He did make $16 million this season as a club option, and should undoubtedly make less in 2010. At age 35 he won’t be a target of a long-term deal, but a two- or three-year deal at about $10-11M per year might be feasible. And that’s a little less than what Burrell would command.
Obviously Abreu would work better in the American League as an OF/DH, but for what he brings offensively, he could be the perfect substitute for Burrell in 2009. And who knows — maybe it would be nice to have Abreu finish his career in red pinstripes.
Posts: 0 Geoff
Im actually ok with that…he can still field, hes not as slow at pat burrell, and hell command less money AND get on base which pat does NOT do when hes not on fire. hell be cheaper than 10m, per year i think actually. you can get a 2 year deal averaging 9mm per year for him…just watch…
pat burrell is GONE. even if he comes cheap, he cANT field anymore. i was at the game saturday and he single handedly almost allowed the brewers back into the game with two bad fielding blunders. pat burell = DH. abreu can at least move around out there still. jayson werth into left field. AND with stairs out there as a backup plan thats not a bad right field platoon to get you by UNTIL YOUR FARM SYSTEM CAN PRODUCE AN OUTFIELDER other than greg golson!
Posted: 01:28 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 J-Man
I wouldn’t mind Abreu coming back,i’ve watched a few Yankees games this year and he’s still not a bad hitter and is still a pretty good defensive player as well.
Posted: 01:28 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
One logistical problem with Abreu back would be an inbalance in lefty/righty splits in the lineup. You need a big righty bat to help balance out Howard and Utley. Is Werth enough? I don’t know.
Posted: 01:30 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
werth is a good one, but im a supporter of having two lefties (howard/chase) and two righties (werth/?) who can hit for some power available to you.
thats a great point tim…forgot about that….
Posted: 01:36 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
I’m not sure that Abreu is going to take less money than Burrell.
Trading Abreu was a great move since we got so much talent back for him…oh wait, well at least we freed up money to sign Adam Eaton!!!!
Posted: 01:45 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 jeff
Definitely not. I really dislike the way abreu plays and I think he is the wrong kind of attitude for this team. Doesn’t anyone remember when he was here? He’d hit .300 all year getting his hits in the 7th inning of games the Phils were losing 8-1. He never gets big hits, and he shys away from the wall in the outfield like it had the plague on it. PLEASE NO ABREU
Posted: 01:53 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
well they probably will need to sign a free agent left or right fielder to replace Pat. Because pat wont come back. not playing this way…
Posted: 02:00 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Jack
ugh my feelings about abreu are completely based on gut feeling and not numbers. but i just never liked that guy. Proof that the team felt the same way was when they went on a tear and missed the playoffs by 2 games after dumping him off to NY. i’d prefer to never see him in red and white again. but if he’s the best replacement for pat the bat, then so be it
Posted: 02:04 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Jim
They can spend more money and get a better outfielder. Please don’t bring back Abreu…he had his good years, but that will be like Geoff Jenkins signing.
Posted: 02:17 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
Jack, I thought the same thing when I heard this, as soon as he left the team had a completely different attitude, and if I remember correctly, he was pretty streaky as a hitter, no? I’m going on gut too, but I don’t think I want him back in the Phils’ lockerroom.
Or maybe it’s because he wears those see-thru fishnet shirts…..
Posted: 02:17 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Fran
SI did a players poll who is the toughest lefthanded pitcher in baseball?
#1 Santana 32%
#2 Cole 12%
#3 CC Sabathia 11%
#4 Kazmir 10%
#5 Wagner 8%
thats 449 mlb players voting
Posted: 02:18 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
notice cole hamels isnt on that list….
Posted: 02:18 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
someone tell me if any switch-hitting outfielders are available on the market this offseason… via free agency or trades. i just want a guy who can hit for contact in the .260 – .275 range (preferably from either side)…
was pat the bat’s OBP that much worse than bobby aboo-boo’s before pat went into his slump? i think pat walked a ton this year, just a little too streaky (hence 5 K’s last night)
Posted: 02:19 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 PhillyFriar
The only (measurable) drawback is what you already mentioned: it would make this lineup very LH heavy. As far as a Burrell replacement goes — if we indeed come to that juncture — Abreu on a 2- or 3-year deal would almost have to be the top option. I mean, just look at the only other comparable free agents: Manny, Dunn, or Milton Bradley. Each would require a longer deal than Abreu, and for far more money.
One quick note: if this were to happen, then I’d immediately move Abreu to LF. He can’t possibly be any worse there than he was in RF, and Werth is a superior fielder.
Posted: 02:20 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Fran
geoff cole is #2
Posted: 02:22 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike
RE: Geoff
Wait, then who’s number 2?
“Who is the toughest lefthanded pitcher in baseball?
Johan Santana, Mets 32%
Cole Hamels, Phillies 12%
CC Sabathia, Brewers 11%
Scott Kazmir, Rays 10%
Billy Wagner, Mets 8%”
Reading comprehension.
Posted: 02:26 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
my bad i over looked that slot
Posted: 02:32 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
yeah we really need another good RH bat. werth is our best pure RH hitter (consistency). hes having a good year. if he plays a full season as the starter he WILL meet or beat burrells numbers.
Posted: 02:41 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
hes really going to be one of our top two or three most important players in the coming season and maybe in the playoffs this season.
Posted: 02:42 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
Obviously I am not up on the stats like most of you so correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Pat carry this team for a while earlier in the season when the “frontrunner brothers” weren’t hitting a lick? Just saying….
Posted: 02:52 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
1 – jroll (SS)
2 – teenwolf (werth) (LF)
3 – chasey (2B)
4 – howard (1B)
5 – Hawaiian (CF)
6 – Dobber (RF)
7 – Pete Happy (3B)
8 – Lou Marson (C)
anyone think that’s a plausable lineup next year?
Posted: 02:54 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
flip flop werth and chase depending on LHP or RHP
Posted: 02:55 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Ari
Abreu is old, I just don’t see him producing anymore. There’s gotta be a better option out there.
Posted: 02:58 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
dobbs is NOT a serviceable everyday player.
you need to go out and sign a better RF is youve got werth in LF.
Posted: 03:12 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Chris.I
Dobbs isn’t an everyday player, because thats what Manuel decides to do with him, but he can definitly be an everyday player if we needed him to be. He’s only a liabilty on 3rd base. I think he’s a pretty decent outfielder. He might not have the best arm, but he gets to the balls, and has a solid bat. He’s way better than Jenkins if you ask me.
Posted: 03:30 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Old Lew
Who pays a guy big $$$ to run into walls?
Abreu very smart player with lots of positive intangibles.
Not playing old yet, either.
Nobody bats .300 over 160 games getting all their hits late in meaningless games.
Get a grip.
Sign Abreu.
Posted: 03:36 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 philsphan
I’d rather sign Burrell than Abreu.
Posted: 03:49 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
i just dont like the idea of ANOTHER left handed bat in the lineup… i def think we need a righty… or a switch contact hitter
Posted: 03:49 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Greg B
Dobbs isnt an everyday player in my book, either. Remember what a lift it was to get Happy Pete back and spell the Dobbs/Bruntlett platoon out there? I think that more than anything coincided with the Phils starting to string some Ws back together. Well, Myers going from unserviceable to NASTY sure helped matters too.
Posted: 03:55 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
The Dobbs/Bruntlett platoon is one of the worst platoons in recent memory. it was a NIGHTMARE!
Posted: 03:56 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Chris.I
I agree to some extent, but you can’t ignore Dobbs offensive numbers either. Especially in a critical moment like this with Burrell slumping. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Dobbs starting the OF tonight or tomorrow.
Posted: 04:07 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 JeffR
Milton Bradley and Ibanez could be had for 2-year deals. Bradley is a switch-hitter, and I though Ibanez was as well. Maybe trade for Sarge Jr if the Angels bring back Vlad. How’s that for a speedy outfield-Vic, Werth, and Matthews,Jr with Golson off the bench?
Posted: 04:07 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 christopher
abreu is one of my least favorite phillies of all time, i want nothing to do with him.
Posted: 04:09 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
bradley will require 3+ year deal and mad money.
Posted: 04:12 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
i would love sarge jr here
Posted: 04:12 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Dave
Although Abreau put up good numbers while he was here, we never won anything with him…..let’s look for a right handed bat instead.
Posted: 04:14 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 KM
JeffR,
I like the idea of trading for Matthews Jr. He is 34 years old and would only be here 2-3 years tops. I also like the thought of trading for Juan Pierre, if you want to talk about speed. The great thing about those 2 guys is that they will come cheap because they are currently the odd men out on their teams.
Posted: 04:28 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Richie Allen
I think Sarge jr is way overrated…I also think that we need a righthanded bat instead of Abreu but not Burrell..Maybe we can sign Abreu and trade him for what we really need…AARON ROWAND
Posted: 04:30 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
sarge JR was in the mitchell report….
Posted: 04:34 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Richie Allen
The funniest comment on here today is Werth =TEENWOLF..
What a country!!
Posted: 04:42 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Matt Kwasiborski
No way, no how, no Abreu. I think Joe Conklin’s drunken tribute to Abreu sums him up best. He is a pure stats guy and never really produced in the clutch. The only thing that has me thinking he would be OK is because he wouldn’t be the #3 hitter and if he didn’t produce, we wouldn’t get on him so much. But there are better, cheaper and younger options out there.
Sarge Jr makes 10M a year and now that he is off the juice, he is not very good. I mean why do you think the Angels went out and signed Hunter to replace him after ONE year? Juice!
There is one guy here who doesn’t like J-Roll and Conlin wrote an article about him when J-Roll was pulling his crap. Trade J-Roll to SF for Matt Cain and Rowand. SF needs a SS and J-Roll is a better offensive player then Rowand and they aren’t sold on Cain. Something to consider.
Posted: 04:46 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
if bradley could be had for cheaper than burrell on a shorter contract im all for it though….
Posted: 04:46 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 DD
That ship has sailed! The phillies personality changed completely the day after Abreu was traded. The Abreu led phils rarely came back from 3-4 runs down after the 7th inning, You could turn off the TV after the stretch as those teams seemed to pack it in and be talking in the dugout about what they were doing after the game. Abreu is a professional hitter, I will give him that, but he has not demonstrated himself to be a winner anywhere.
Posted: 04:48 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Drewdacri$
We already have one too many Sarges here already.
Posted: 04:55 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
thanks for the comic support Richie (teenwolf)
i’m not a fan of unloading Phrontrunner Brothers unless you get an ACE. clearly we have to pay howard – his career sept. numbers are out of this world…
IF (and only if) you move Jimmy, then you HAVE to get an ace and a serviceable SS (although they are a dime a dozen for an average one)
the only way i would trade j-roll is if i got lincecum from sanfran. throw in the carrasco/marson battery if you have to, just get it done. cole/brett/lincecum is one hell of 1-2-3 punch
Posted: 05:08 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
plus adding lincecum to the starting rotation makes us way more attractive for a solid righty to bolster the offense (whispers of double 3′s rowand anyone?)
Posted: 05:09 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Mark
Ibanez is batting over .300 with 21 homers/81 runs scored/108 rbi’s. How is that not admirable?
Posted: 05:16 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 T Mac
I don’t want Burrell or Abreu – they will both be over $10/million per year for multiple years for quickly-fading players.
I agree we need to pick up another righty bat. But let’s remember we have three decent lefties (all signed for next year) to platoon in the outfield in Dobbs/Stairs/Jenkins. Lets give a combination of those three most of the at-bats against righties, and pick up a righty platoon outfielder.
I suggest this because there are no good options for righty FA outfielders this year that won’t cost way too much (like Manny).
So why don’t we take a shot on Rocco Baldelli – sure he’s a big injury risk, but we could get him for just a one or two year deal, and it’s high reward (plus another great defensive outfielder) if he stays healthy. Let’s save our money for a stud starter, which there are many of who will be on the market…
Posted: 05:27 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 ryan
abreu is so washed up. no way to him. i don’t want burrell either. let’s continue trying to get holliday in here. i’d gladly give up carrasco for him.
Posted: 06:21 PM on September 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike N
Anybody think Seattle would consider moving Ichiro for the right package? They suck and need to rebuild. Or is that patently ridiculous even to suggest?
Posted: 07:02 PM on September 17, 2008