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January 22, 2014 13-14 Offseason Joe Janish

Mets Don’t Sign Bobby Abreu

According to various sources, the Philadelphia Phillies have signed former Philadelphia Phillie (and Dodger, Yankee, Astro, and Angel) Bobby Abreu to a minor-league contract, and invited him to spring training.

Adam Rubin of ESPN-NY reported that Abreu was close to signing with the Mets, in part due to his relationship with Dave Hudgens, who is managing the veteran outfielder and the Caracas winter league club.

Abreu hasn’t played in MLB since 2012, when he didn’t hit very well for average nor power, but still managed to get on base 35% of the time. In his last few years of active duty, his bat slowed down considerably and his fielding skills eroded, though his strike zone discipline and patience remained a strength.

Would he have been a good fit for the Mets? Maybe. Why not, on a minor-league deal — there’s nothing to lose. It’s not as though he’d have been taking spring training at-bats from prominent prospects, and his hitting approach fits in well with what the Mets have been trying to do for the past three years — who knows, his habits could have rubbed off on some of the Mets youngsters.

But for now, he’s with the Phillies.

Do you care? Would you have liked to see him in Port St. Lucie next month? Why or why not?

Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
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  1. CleonJames January 22, 2014 at 10:39 am
    I do care a little bit. He reminds me of the Alou the mets had a few years ago who could hit with his eyes closed (though he was more of a free swinger), but was too prone to injury. the mets could use a rusty staub/ed kranepool lefty PH who can his with their eyes closed too (Kranepool averaged .300 as a PH).

    would have been good on balance for a team that must look for hidden value in the scrap heap.

  2. CleonJames January 22, 2014 at 10:40 am
    however, I think in this case, they made the right move to pass. they need PH who can hit at least .275, and I don’t think Abreu is there anymore. he’s more of a Julio franco type now.
  3. argonbunnies January 22, 2014 at 7:23 pm
    I think Abreu would be an excellent PH. Not a HR threat, but a “keep the rally going” guy who’s good for some walks and singles. Unfortunately, on a roster with 12 pitchers, a team can’t usually afford to carry a guy who can’t play the field. Yet another reason to stretch starters out and/or return to the 4-man rotation…
    • DanB January 22, 2014 at 8:19 pm
      Watching the Abreus of the world working the count for a walk with a runner in scoring position is like fingernails on blackboard to me. The Mets need more guys who drive runners in rather then leave it up to the next batter.

      I have been mourning the loss of the professional pinchhitter for quite a while. Like you, AB, I blame the 12 pitchers. I also think the ban on “little greenies” puts a premium on backups who can field their position because older players are less likely to play day games after night games. Met’s history is full of great full time pinchhitters — Kranepool, Staub, Danny Heep, Lenny Harris, and Julio Franco, to name a few.

  4. TexasGusCC January 23, 2014 at 9:45 am
    Mets need to stop looking back and look ahead. With every Abreu at-bat, a younger player has less opportunity to show something. Abreu has no power, no speed, and no defense. Why would you consider him for your 25 man roster?