Friday, November 2, 2007

Yanks to pick up Abreu's option

The Yankees have until midnight tonight to make their decision about whether to pick up RF Bobby Abreu's option. Nothing is official yet, but the Yankees are expected to pick up the $16 million option, and keep Abreu around for at least one more year. Had the Yanks declined the option, they would have had to pay $2 million to buy out Abreu's contract.

Abreu started off slowly in 2007, but finished the year with a .283 average, 16 HRs, 101 RBIs, and 123 runs, which placed him at 2nd in the AL in total runs. Bobby also walked 84 times this past season, which helped yield a very solid OBP of .369.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman said "Bobby Abreu possesses a unique skill set and has proven to be a durable and reliable asset to this club. Consistency has been a hallmark throughout his career."

Abreu now returns to an outfield that already includes Melky Cabrera, Hideki Matsui, and Johnny Damon. Abreu will once again be the everyday RF, and Melky will be the everyday CF. Damon and Matsui will most likely split reps in LF, and both will also share some time at DH. If the Yanks are able to move Jason Giambi at some point this offseason, it will open more time for the members of this crowded outfield. I personally would have liked to see the Yanks begin to part ways with some of its veteran position players, but the option will only bring Abreu back for 1 more year, at which point the Yankees would have to negotiate an entirely new contract if they still wish to keep the veteran RF.

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