What's the deal with Bobby Abreu?

I can understand from an outsiders point of view, why you might believe Abreu has more value. However; as a Phillies fan who has seen him for years, he's a dog. He hits terribly with runners in scoring position, is a liability in the field, takes an excessive amount of called third strikes looking, and enjoys padding his stats when they game is already decided. That is the real Bobby Abreu.

Two things are working against and there may be a third thing we should not speak of.

1) He's 35 years old, and was slowing down last year (fairly big drop in stolen base %)

2) The economic meltdown - teams are just not sure what their revenue streams will look like going forward

3) sshhh....collusion. Too early to say for sure, especially with the possible effect of point #2 - could it be that baseball owners are finally making sound financial decisions all on their own (except in New York) or is it a little collective action being taken by the owners? (If the players can act collectively, what's so wrong with the owners doing the same?)

And finally, I've heard rumours that Abreu isnt' the best teammate. Completely unsubstantiated, and I've also the opposite. No way to know for sure without being in the clubhouse.

Actually early on before the market took a crap the Yankees were interested in re-signing him, just for a lot less than the $16m he made last year. Once Abreu said he had no interest in making less money the Yankees moved on! He is an excelent player & I truly belive that he is going to be missed very much in Yankee Land. I was puzzled all year also as to why teams werent ligning up to sign him. The Angels got a steal for the money they paid. It is true he wont hit you 30+ homeruns anymore but he will get plently of extra base hits, walk 100+ times, Score you a mess of runs, steal a base when he needs to, knock in 100 runs. He is a solid middle of the order guy, just not a big power threat. The market being so down is the only reason why he didnt get good money. He initially was looking for 2-3 years @ $16m+ per year, & that didnt work out so well!

He's 34 years old, and he hasn't been the same since the 2005 Home Run Derby. He's getting to the age where retirement is a possibility, and teams would rather have young outfielders than ones who are winding down in their careers. I was surprised that the deal was only worth $5 million - I expected about $10 million - and the Angels were a surprise team for him to go to.

Right now he's pretty much just a victim of the current baseball economy, much like Orlando Hudson.

Over his career, I consider Abreu to be a "high-end" version of Reggie Sanders or Juan Encarnacion. These are guys with obvious talent, but for whatever reason aren't "The Guy" you want to anchor your lineup. Their talent makes them "in demand" to other teams looking to add a very good complimentary bat, but the fact that they aren't a "lineup anchor" like an A-Rod or a Manny also makes them expendable.

The Phils had Utley and Howard so Abreu's projected salary was seen as "expendable." The Yankees were looking for upgrades elsewhere, so again, he was the expendable one.

Honestly nothing. Abreu is still a quality outfielder with at least 2 more years left to produce.

I think if he would have taken the Yankees' offer, he would have gotten more. Thats what happens when you get greedy.