Bobby Abreu Reaching Downside Of Career

Bobby Abreu had been one of the most consistent big bats in baseball — the former Yankee slugger had scored 100 runs and driven in 100 runs for two consecutive seasons.

So when the free agent market collapsed over the summer getting him at $5 million for one season — rather than the $48 million of three years he had said he wanted at first — seemed like a steal for the Angels.

But Abreu is 35 years old, and in a non-steroid fueled world that is when baseball players start to have physical problems. Like a bad back that causes you to miss games, or now the sprained big toe he suffered Wednesday night that will keep him out of the lineup for at least a few days.

The Angels aren’t going to miss his power — Abreu has yet to hit a home run this year. That part of his game seems to have gone away. He still has driven in 16 runs and is hitting a solid .300, but he was partially brought to the Big A to provide the long ball — and he no longer seems able to.

It happens, these times come. But this is where the Angels are very happy the market did not demand they offer more years.

Manager Mike Scioscia has plenty of other outfield options — Juan Rivera, Gary Matthews Jr., Reggie Willits and even Vladimir Guerrero (although most likely he will be the designated hitter).

Abreu has had a good career, but one that is clearly now starting to wind down. He may have a year or two left, but with no pop in his bat and a series of nagging injuries, it may be hard to get that one more big payday. The Angels should just be glad they are not the one paying for it.