Bobby Abreu Sizing up His Halo
by Rev Halofan on Feb 10, 2009 8:06 PM PST
in Angels News
Email
PrintAccording to the official Angel Website: Bobby Abreu signing with the Angels is looking likely.
Batting for your Angels, the Designated Hitter, Number 53 Bobby ABREU
115 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I'm okay with the picture on the left.
I’m ecstatic about the picture on the right.
Heh.
I don't know...I'm makin' this up as I go.
I bet your are Ark...
but hey, give us as happy instead of an okay about Abreu.
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Feb 10, 2009 9:23 PM PST up reply actions
It's the Yankee factor.
I’ll admit it. But I’m working on it…I’m working on it.
I don't know...I'm makin' this up as I go.
Good move
Glad we’re bringing in some solid OBP, and a bit of power.
It’s no Teix, but for the right price and length (1 year or so), it gets this team through ’09 as definite AL West favorites again.
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Feb 10, 2009 8:14 PM PST reply actions
not come August
when Morales is killing it and the Halos are 26 games in first…
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Feb 10, 2009 9:24 PM PST up reply actions
WTF!
What about Adam Dunn?
Terrible signing if this happens.
"why do you we still have quitlin?" -VladdyG
one dimensional not a turn for the soth
even if that dimension is hitting bombs
by ihearhowie2.0 on Feb 10, 2009 9:05 PM PST up reply actions
risky business
Dunn would be my choice if the terms were the same, but Dunn will get his 3 years or 1 year for twice as much as Abreu.
Dunn has not proven he can hit in the AL tho.
Is Vlad ready to play RF?
The Angels might be making this move as a necessity. With GMJ out at least the first month of the season and Vlad having had off-season knee surgery, the Angels actually need to add a RF.
It makes for an old outfield, but The Soth did a masterful job resting players during the course of the 2008 season. As noted in the MLB article, it looks like it will be a 4-man rotation between OF and DH for Hunter, Vlad, Abreu, and Rivera.
Ain't no stoppin' us now. We got the groove!!
left handed bat with pop and OBP who can run the bases well and hit 2nd
sounds like a great idea to me
I dunno about pop
Yankee stadium is ideal for lefty hitters and he never hit a ton there. I expect around 15 HR out of him in ‘09, hope I’m wrong. Now the OB will be nice.
well, to me thats pop. Pop is the lesser form of power
pop = extra base hits, which abreu has. Power(homers) not so much
by ihearhowie2.0 on Feb 10, 2009 9:07 PM PST up reply actions
If he doesn't fall off a cliff
He is basically GA with the better on-base percentage.
If he falls off the cliff, he is basically Steve Finley and/or Edgardo Alfonzo.
Pop can mean a lot of things – don’t expect Abreu to pop 25-30 home runs again, but expect him to hit a ton of doubles.
GA with a MUCH better OBP
And twice the SBs.
But half the lazy jokes :(
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Feb 10, 2009 9:18 PM PST up reply actions
yeah and too bad he has a career 210. average in Angels stadium...
of course, hes only played 15 games there but whose counting?
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Feb 10, 2009 9:26 PM PST up reply actions
that stat is so deceptive with offsenive players
going against our staff isnt conducive to putting up big numbers in angel stadium
by ihearhowie2.0 on Feb 10, 2009 9:42 PM PST up reply actions
Fun Abreu fact:
He’s averaged more than 40 doubles a year for his entire career, and still has for the previous 3 seasons.
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Feb 10, 2009 8:47 PM PST reply actions
Fun Abreu Fact # 3
When playing off-season ball in Mexico, children often ran from the stadium screaming that he was a chupacabra.
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Feb 10, 2009 9:27 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Fun Abreu Fact #4
At least 151 games played for 11 straight seasons. The Angels didn’t have ONE who played that many in 08.
by LittleCupcakes on Feb 10, 2009 9:33 PM PST up reply actions
This is good if it is a 1-2 year contract, the guy is 35
but he is a productive hitter, an upgrade over GA at this stage of his of career (I hate to admit that). Long-term though, we continue to rely on aging outfielders and that has to change.
Angels in 09!
Perfect Fit
-Hits left handed
-We needed a DH not named GMJ
-High OBP
-Can run the bases
-Consistently produces
-Is not named Manny
I brought sexy back, but they only gave me store credit....
by PhiSlamma on Feb 10, 2009 9:23 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
How about...
Figgy 3B/Aybar SS
Abreu RF
Vlad DH
Hunter CF
Rivera LF
Kendrick 2B
Morales 1B
Nap C
Aybar SS/Wood 3B
Maybe flip Nap/Morales in the order or Nap/Kendrick. That looks pretty good from here, with the not-exactly-hidden exception of the 5 hole, even though I actually, truly expect good/great years from Rivera/Morales (at least Kotch/GA replacement levels, anyway).
Good move I think; really, you had to get either Dunn or Abreu or both-especially given the market tilting towards ownership.
this is what i would do
Figgins 3B
Kendrick 2B
Abreu DH/RF
Vladdy RF/DH
Napoli C
Hunter CF
Rivera LF
Morales 1B
Wood SS
Kotch would've had that.
by howiestheman on Feb 10, 2009 10:26 PM PST up reply actions
That's a good lineup
but I don’t think Scioscia would touch that with a 10-foot Thunderstick.
Howie needs a little pressure taken off (this year, he must break out or he’ll risk…well, let’s not go there just yet), and Abreu is such a conventionial number 2 that it’s hard to see Sosh drop him in the 3 hole.
by LittleCupcakes on Feb 10, 2009 10:34 PM PST up reply actions
so you move everyone below Howie up one slot
and put Howie in the 7-slot?
meh… either one would work for me.
Kotch would've had that.
by howiestheman on Feb 10, 2009 10:42 PM PST up reply actions
Nipples at cleanup
sounds pretty excellent. He’s got a real Glaus-ian vibe.
by LittleCupcakes on Feb 10, 2009 10:48 PM PST up reply actions
he's Dunn-lite
or, maybe he’ll become Dunn 2.0.
kinda low BA, great OBP & SLG with some good HR numbers.
Kotch would've had that.
by howiestheman on Feb 10, 2009 10:59 PM PST up reply actions
Theres some considerable power in there actually...
Now that I see it all planned out like that, I’m stoked. If Woodsy plays everyday that’s a good 7 batters you don’t want to leave one hanging to.
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Feb 10, 2009 9:29 PM PST reply actions
Or need a clutch bunt (I'm looking at you, Admiral!)
by LittleCupcakes on Feb 10, 2009 9:39 PM PST up reply actions
well, unfortunately Abreu kind of pushes wood out of the lineup
unless theyre willing to just hand him SS, which i doubt.
I dont think Wood plays everyday until Howie/Aybar/Figgins goes down
by ihearhowie2.0 on Feb 10, 2009 9:45 PM PST up reply actions
Bad news for Mice Tits, I'm afraid.
It’s tough to find a spot in there. Kendrick is a lock, Aybar’s D makes him a lock too, and there’s no room at 3B either, as it’s certainly Figgy or Wood.
by LittleCupcakes on Feb 10, 2009 9:50 PM PST up reply actions
Izzy can beat out Aybar...
I hope.
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Feb 10, 2009 10:04 PM PST up reply actions
Am I the only one worried about this...
I feel like this is Finley/Hillenbrand/GMJ all over again. And of coarse, as everyone likes to say, I hope I’m wrong.
Peanuts...Get your Overpriced Peanuts!
no comparison whatsoever
look at the inconsistency in finley’s career. and look at the consistent terribleness in gmj and hillenbrand’s career.
i dont get that vibe whatsoever
even if his bat slows down, abreu can still get on base at least and work a count.
and for 5 million? Its Tonys job to sign the Abreus for 5 million. Hes gonna make the same money as Speier!
by ihearhowie2.0 on Feb 11, 2009 6:55 AM PST up reply actions
remember the circumstances here as well...
it’s probably going to be a one year deal – making this a contract year for him. we all know how players play when they are going to be free agents.
Who is this GMJ you speak of?
Some sort of icy cold treat? Or a new interactive fan game?
by LittleCupcakes on Feb 10, 2009 10:00 PM PST up reply actions
Its new entertainment
up by the budweiser section. They actually spent about 50 million on it, it is a souped up dunk tank with him sitting in it.
Give the young guns a chance...if they suck wellll...
by angelskid2210 on Feb 10, 2009 10:15 PM PST up reply actions
They should replace the waterfall with a dunk tank.
Inside could be an unruly BoSux fan who injures our fans at our stadium. And then we can pay to dunk him or put a huge target out there for a HR to dunk him.
Driven into right-center field, Erstad says he has it...the Angels, world champions!
GAH!
why do we always go after the compliment guy and not the impact guy????
don’t get me wrong.. Abreu’s OBP is going to play wonderfully in the (i assume) 2-slot, but Dunn’s power would be better.
and since this move probably signals Wood getting the shaft, we’re out that much more power.
Kotch would've had that.
All the impact guys
get picked up by the Yakees, or would break the bank and leave the farm bare in a trade.
i meant Dunn
i should have rephrased that to “impact power guys”.
Kotch would've had that.
by howiestheman on Feb 10, 2009 10:25 PM PST up reply actions
and by 2-slot
i of course meant 3-slot
Kotch would've had that.
by howiestheman on Feb 10, 2009 10:27 PM PST up reply actions
Define: Impact
“Impact” seems to me like one of those fuzzy terms that gets thrown around by sportscasters with little intrinsic meaning, like “stepping up,” “intangibles,” and Joe Morgan’s personal favorite, “consistency.” What exactly makes a player “impactful”? Is it just hitting home runs? Surely there might be other ways to make a difference. Hitting a big home run can radically change a game, but even little Erick Aybar has a chance of doing that. You can’t plan for that, you can only hedge your bets.
So I’m not sure what definition gives Dunn “impact” but excludes Abreu from “impactfulness.” Dunn hits more home runs. He also strikes out more often, hits fewer line drives, and doesn’t run as well. He might also cost more money. If “impact” is simply making a positive difference for the team, I think Abreu has a very good chance of doing that for the Angels. Just about anyone who can sit on a pitch and then hit it could do that, and guess what? The player most selective about pitches in 2008: Bobby Abreu, who swung at just 35.6% of all pitches. As a team, the 2008 Angels swung 47.2% of the time. Here’s to making the opposing pitchers work a little harder.
Agree
Give the young guns a chance...if they suck wellll...
by angelskid2210 on Feb 10, 2009 10:58 PM PST up reply actions
nice point
i’ll choose my loosely-defined terms more carefully from now on :P
Kotch would've had that.
by howiestheman on Feb 10, 2009 11:00 PM PST up reply actions
No way
Abreu is the replacement Venezuelan for Frankie in the same sense as a woman replaced Hillary Clinton. That’s the impact. Hugo Chavez demanded that.
WAIT WHAT
HES VENEZUELAN?
ABREU ISNT, LIKE, FROM BUENA PARK? DUDE AINT WHITE?
GET JEFF MILLER ON THE PHONE. IM DONE WITH THE ANGELS
by ihearhowie2.0 on Feb 11, 2009 7:06 AM PST up reply actions
i dont think the gap between 09 wood and 09 abreu in terms of power is that different
2010 and beyond is another story
and remember we needed a lefty and a guy who gets on base. Wood will play, but he has to earn it. If he outperforms aybar in the spring, the job is his. Or when Kendrick breaks a fingernail on opening day and aybar shifts to 2nd
by ihearhowie2.0 on Feb 11, 2009 7:09 AM PST up reply actions
The way out of our line-up logjam
Scioscia sits Aybar down and says, “Admiral – you are a valuable major leaguer right now. However, we think you could be an even better hitter and baserunner, and we want to help you become that guy by sending you to AAA for the development time you never got. Wood had the development time, and needs to start this year on the mlb team, so he’s going to be our starting ss.”
“Admiral – we project you as a top of the order type, but to get there you will need to work counts and steal bases at a higher success rate. We know you can do these things – at times last year, when you knew we needed a walk, you went up to the plate and performed brilliantly. You started off winter ball working on your selectivity, and posted a great bb/k rate for a couple of weeks. And then you experienced success, and reverted to hacking. As far as baserunning goes, we just want you to learn to pick your spots and better time your jumps. Those things are hard to do, and you should be getting lots of practice. We want you back soon (post Figgy-world), we want you batting second, and we want you starting at short. Use this time to get better.”
Our D takes a hit, but there you go…
You can't make an omelette...
If Figgy defends at third like he did last year, then the gap between him and Wood should be about the same as the difference between Wood and Aybar (plus/minus system – Figgy +11 at third, Wood 0. Aybar +6 at short, Wood -8 or so). Wood only gets better with more playing time, so something’s got to give.
Should also add
That the difference between Figgy’s bat and Aybar’s bat makes up for the defense lost in switching Aybar out.
Best part of the deal! Its a contract year :)
via SI.com
“He might take a one-year deal so that he can — in his words — win the MVP and go out on the market again. He’s definitely motivated. Not that he’s not usually, but he has extra motivation.”
Does this mean ESPN has to eat its words?
Because after ESPN ripped the Angels for not keeping two players who DIDN’T WANT TO PLAY THERE and responding with getting a new proven closer and committing to youth, they were labelled as having the worst offseason in baseball (which is a load). Now it’s certainly not the case. I liked Dunn but feel Abreu at such a short and cheap investment is a FANTASTIC move by Ninja with less strikeouts and other flubs whens coring opportunities come around.
How is he going to win the MVP
When he hits 13 home runs, drives in 80 runs or so, etc.? He’s just another piece in a machine that’s already got plenty of good major league players. Go look at his numbers in 2008, compare them to GA, the difference is really not enough to make a BIG difference; plus, he’s a right fielder, which we already have, a right fielder who is ALSO in a contract year, and clearly will not want to DH but play in the field when he’s in a contract year.
As I’ve said many times this offseason, if you’re not going after a game changer, then don’t go after anyone. We have plenty of pieces that we can make fit, let the kids play, see who can actually contribute and who can’t, weed out the flotsam, and try for the next game changer that comes along.
Anybody who says this guy has “pop” in his bat, I think you have him confused with the other free agent that nobody seems to want out there. HE has pop. Oh, and he has POP in the bottom of the 8th or 9th inning of playoff games as well.
Underwhelming news. I guess on the bright side, another outfielder we have that posts similar production numbers costs us almost 4 times as much, so there’s that i guess.
Did you NOT look at the RBI column?
80 or so RBI’s? Have you looked at Abreu’s stats, dude? He’s had 100 + RBI seasons since 2003, Hes hit 20 or more home runs 9 out of his 12 seasons…including last year.
Did you pull that 80 number out of your butt or what?
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Feb 11, 2009 9:22 AM PST up reply actions
I responded to goodvibe in one of the other threads with 3-year comps between GA and Abreu. It’s no comparison. Abreu blows GA out of the water at 5/12’s the price.
by Downing Rules on Feb 11, 2009 9:24 AM PST up reply actions
Abreu’s stats have him beat by a mile:
Over the last three years
AVG/R/HR/RBI
GA 290/65/15/85
Abreu 290/110/16/100
Also OBP:
GA over last 3 yrs: 330
Abreu over last 3 years: 380
OPS+ last 3
GA<100
Abreu at least above 115.
by Downing Rules on Feb 11, 2009 9:25 AM PST up reply actions
Hey, great, good for you guys.
If you think that Bobby Abreu is going to make the difference I’m happy for you. I’m glad that he drove in 15 more runs last year than Anderson. That’s great. He scored more runs, that’s great.
Wow, maybe i should be doing cartwheels or something.
:)
While certainly far from cartwheeling, I think this was a decent move; certainly a “solidifying” move. Hell, did you think that the Brad Fullmer signing was cartwheel worthy? Neither did I. But, it was a good piece to solving the puzzle.
Also, it was not ONLY last year. Note that it is a THREE-YEAR trend. Why are you so blinded with bitterness over this move?
While I am not happy we did not sign Teixeira, I see this move as a positive one … we got more value for $5M than GA demanded for $12M. Can’t you see that, at least?
by Downing Rules on Feb 11, 2009 9:32 AM PST up reply actions
Better question
How is he going to win the MVP when he doesn’t play in Boston?
I guess I already used my Manny bomb for the month?
by hauldog on Feb 11, 2009 11:06 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
No, I looked.
He was also hitting behind Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. Here, he will be hitting behind Figgins and Aybar, so I’m thinking his RBI’s will relate to that fact.
So that accounts for 20 more RBI? And TONS more walks (GA=30/yr, Bobby=80/yr)?
by Downing Rules on Feb 11, 2009 9:26 AM PST up reply actions
He was hitting behind A-Rod and Jeter as an Astro?
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Feb 11, 2009 9:27 AM PST reply actions
No, he was in Philly actually,
hitting behind Kenny Lofton and Jimmy Rollins.
right...came up as an astro...
moved to phillys.
Lofton and Rollins vs. A-Rod and Jeter.
my statement still stands.
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Feb 11, 2009 9:32 AM PST up reply actions
I'd let it go... goodvibe isn't going to
see that spending $5 vs $12 and getting 20% more “theoretical production” out of that less money is a value.
by Downing Rules on Feb 11, 2009 9:33 AM PST up reply actions
Goodvibe, I see your point
but why is he batting third? K-Mo might bat third. And who knows who ends up in the second spot. What if its Wood? And what if Figgins doesnt get to play full time and Aybar is our leadoff. There are alot of options and to deny that a guy with Abreu stats (300 career life time hitter) doesnt have a bat and isn’t at least some sort of asset is ridiculous.
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Feb 11, 2009 9:35 AM PST up reply actions
No we definitely couldn't keep GA at 12 million
we did the right thing there. I’m just not absolutely overjoyed over this signing, that’s all. Why are we focusing on this guy? We already have guys just like this, guys who already play the same position. What’s the point?
Although I will be very, very interested to see if his numbers remain the same while playing in our every day lineup.
Surely, it will be interesting if he can maintain those numbers with the Halos almost pathetic 3 and 4 run per game lineup. I’m hoping that Abreu can preach that patience to the rest of the lineup and I also hope that Mickey Hacker will NOT influence Abreu to start swinging earlier in the count.
by Downing Rules on Feb 11, 2009 9:41 AM PST up reply actions
This isn't the Angels' 'big bat move'
To replace Tex, but this signing is great. He hits 40 doubles a year, plays in 150 plus games, hits .300, has a high on-base percentage, et al.
The ship on GA left a few years ago.
It can be said Abreu might suddenly discover he is 35 and might fall off the cliff [always have to put that disclaimer here], but I have confidence in him at this point to put up similar numbers like he has always done in his MLB career.
Hopefully, they give him > Spiezio money and he performs just as poorly.
by Downing Rules on Feb 11, 2009 10:37 AM PST up reply actions
Jesus. Thank God it's a small sample size.
Abreau at Anaheim Stadium:
AB: 65
BA: .210
RBI: 5
HR: 1
Great. 1 Dong in 65 AB’s.
Thankfully, it’s only 65 AB’s.
Someone else said this
Look who was pitching to him
I guess I already used my Manny bomb for the month?
you can't blame a guy for going up against our pitchers
and sucking.
Driven into right-center field, Erstad says he has it...the Angels, world champions!
same thing happened with Tex, if you all remember
they made a huge fuss… for 2 games. then he raked at Angel Stadium.
i’m not worried.
Kotch would've had that.
by howiestheman on Feb 11, 2009 11:28 PM PST up reply actions
The Lackey Factor.
Has anybody thought much about whether this signing influences Lackey to take an extension?
We only have Abreu for one year, but I think we’ve shown that we’re serious about improving the offense, which is what Big John wants. We also showed that by how far we were willing to go to sign Tex. We can’t help the fact that he’s an east coast-lovin’, Boras-worshipin’, money-grubbin’, wife-servant.
I’d love to see Lackey re-up and soon.
I don't know...I'm makin' this up as I go.
Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it. Bottom line is … it is going to take CASH MONEY to extend Lack-meister.
by Downing Rules on Feb 11, 2009 4:24 PM PST up reply actions
Cash money...
…which we have.
We signed Chupacabreu at such a steal of a price that we can afford to give Lack what he deserves. I really believe the FO will step up. The only question is whether Big John wants to stay. Does he think we’ve done enough.
Because, I swear, if I see John Lackey pitching in Fenway with a “B” on his cap, I will eat a bullet.
I don't know...I'm makin' this up as I go.
ugh dont start jinxing it now
I don’t need to say any of my beloved Angels with that shit on.
Driven into right-center field, Erstad says he has it...the Angels, world champions!
and by say
I mean see
Driven into right-center field, Erstad says he has it...the Angels, world champions!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
