Thursday, November 5, 2009

Bobby Abreu re-signs with Los Angeles Angels for two years, $19 million

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Outfielder Bobby Abreu agreed Thursday to a $19 million, two-year contract to stay with the Los Angeles Angels rather than test the free-agent market again.

Bobby Abreu re-signs with Los Angeles Angels for two years, $19 million

Abreu

After earning $16 million with the New York Yankees in 2008 under the final year of a contract he originally signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, Abreu became a free agent.

He didn't agreed to a deal until Feb. 12, just before spring training, when the Angels gave him a one-year contract that guaranteed $5 million. He earned an additional $1 million based on plate appearances.

Abreu's new contract calls for $9 million salaries in each of the next two seasons. It includes a 2012 option for $9 million with a $1 million buyout, and the option would become guaranteed if Abreu has 550 plate appearances in 2011 or 1,200 in 2010-11 combined.

He hit .293 this year with 15 home runs, 103 RBIs and 30 steals. The two-time All-Star has driven in at least 100 runs in seven straight seasons.

Several Los Angeles teammates credited Abreu with changing the club's approach at the plate with his deliberate, patient at-bats. The AL West champions reached several offensive franchise bests this year.

Abreu spent the previous 2 seasons with the Yankees after 8 years with Philadelphia.

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