Report: Phillies Bring Back Abreu on Minor League Deal
According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, the Phillies have reached an agreement with outfielder Bobby Abreu that will bring back the lefty on a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. The deal is believed to be worth $800,000.
Abreu, turning 40 on March 11, has not played Major League Baseball since 2012 but has been scorching hot in the Venezuelan Winter League for Leones de Caracas. Abreu was an All-Star in 2004 and 2005 with the Phillies, ranks 11th in team history in HR, ninth in runs scored, third in BB%, seventh in steals, fifth in OBP, and ninth in slugging.
As a Phillie, Abreu put up a rather incredible .303/.416/.513 line in 5885 PA from 1998 through 2006. Abreu was acquired on November 18, 1997 for shortstop Kevin Stocker and would be traded to the Yankees on July 30, 2006 with Corey Lidle for C.J. Henry, Jesus Sanchez, Carlos Monasterios, and Matt Smith. According to Crasnick, Abreu is 13 homers and one steal short of joining Barry and Bobby Bonds as the only players in MLB history with 300 HR and 400 SB.
