New York Yankees: Why Bringing Back Bobby Abreu Makes More Sense Now
April 29, 2012 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
A couple of days ago, I did a column wondering if the Yankees should look into a potential reunion with Bobby Abreu.
The former Yankee was just released by the Los Angeles Angels in favor of calling up minor-league prospect Mike Trout. Abreu was hitting .208 with five RBI but was mostly relegated to a bench player for the Angels in 2012.
After this past weekend, I am now making my pitch for Brian Cashman to bring back Abreu.
As of right now, two of the three starting outfielders for the Yankees are out with injuries.
Brett Gardner has been on the disabled list with an elbow injury since April 19 and on Sunday, Nick Swisher had to leave the game against the Tigers with a hamstring injury.
Swisher right now is listed as day-to-day, but with hamstring injuries, you never know, just ask Jose Reyes how his went.
This puts part-time outfielder Andruw Jones into the mix as a starter, and it takes Raul Ibanez out of his designated hitter spot and puts him in the outfield as well.
Essentially, what this is doing is creating a very short bench and slashing the Yankees depth, which is never good.
Enter Abreu.
I think Abreu can help the Yankees lineup in 2012. He’s a patient hitter who works deep into counts, sees a lot of pitches, knows how to get on base, hits the ball the other way and drives in runs.
It’s a big reason why the Yankees traded for him from the Phillies back in 2006 and nearly traded A.J. Burnett to the Angels for him this past winter.
Money would not be an issue at all for the Yankees given the fact that the Angels are on the hook for Abreu’s $9 million for 2012, so signing him to a major-league deal for a veteran’s minimum wouldn’t hurt them in the short-term of the season.
Sure, the Yankees do have Ibanez who is playing decent in 2012, hitting .255 with three home runs and 12 RBI so far.
The only question is, can the soon-to-be 40-year old Ibanez hold up an entire season hitting for power for the Yankees, especially if he has to play in the outfield more often?
Bringing Abreu back would create options for the Yankees and their lineups. Abreu could be the everyday DH if needed, and he could play some outfield if needed.
Although if they can get Swisher back, I’m sure the Yankees would rather have Swisher in right field over the 38-year old Abreu at this stage of their careers.
Mike Axisa from River Ave. Blues also debated about bringing back Abreu for the Yankees this past week and felt it was worth a look for Brian Cashman.
For me, I think it’s worth more than just a look. I think it’s worth bringing him back.
And even if it doesn’t work out and Abreu can’t hack it anymore, the Yankees could simply release him and move on. (The Angels would still be paying for most of his salary.)
But if Abreu can still hack it, I think he is worth taking on; mostly because I think he wants to show the Angels that he’s still got something left in the tank.
Players who have a chip on their shoulder tend to play with more purpose and focus. With a player who has the skill level of Abreu, that could work in the favor of the Yankees.
Does Cashman feel the same way about Abreu as he did in 2006 when he dealt for him and almost dealt for him again this past winter? Only time will tell.
Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.
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