Bobby Abreu and the Yankees have both moved on from each other, so if the free-agent outfielder is to remain in New York, it will have to be with the Mets. The Amazin’s have shown some interest in Abreu, but haven’t made an offer yet.
Abreu does have at least six teams interested in him, but he seems like a smart fit for the Mets. Manny Ramirez might be a more formidable hitter than Abreu, but the Mets’ offense is strong enough that assuming the Ramirez risk isn’t worth it.
“The Mets are definitely a club . . . that’s very high on Bobby’s list,” Abreu’s agent, Peter Greenberg, said yesterday. “Bobby wants to win.”
Greenberg said the reason Abreu’s still unsigned is “we haven’t received what we deemed was an acceptable offer.”
If the Mets can offer Abreu a reasonable contract – he might be willing to accept a one-year offer – it’s hard to make the case that he doesn’t fit. Last year with the Yankees, Abreu hit .296 with 20 homers, 100 RBIs, 100 runs, 22 steals. And it’s not a stretch to figure the consistent Abreu, who will turn 35 on March 11, can replicate that production.
Abreu has an impressive career on-base percentage of .405 and has played in at least 150 games in 11 straight seasons. For a Mets team that has battled injury problems, that durability would be valuable.
The Mets have concerns because Abreu bats left-handed and isn’t renowned for his defense. But Abreu batted .315 versus lefties last year and is a .280 career hitter against them.
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There’s no need for arbitration between John Maine and the Mets, as the right-hander signed a one-year $2.6 million deal yesterday. The Yankees and reliever Brian Bruney also agreed on a one-year, $1.25M pact.