Tag Archives: Bobby Abreu

Daily Distractions: Accentuating the positive, and tracking down some former Dodgers.

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In my game story last night, I highlighted what ailed the Dodgers in their 5-3 loss to the Giants. (Photo gallery)

To be fair, here’s what the Dodgers did well in their first series of the season:

- Limited the Giants to a .208 batting average;
- Walked only two batters in the three games, while striking out 19;
- Didn’t allow a stolen base, while catching the Giants’ lone attempted thief;
- Turned a league-high seven double plays;
- In lieu of traditional offensive means, they got in the way of three San Francisco pitches.

OK, maybe the last one’s a stretch.

The positives paint a clear picture: the Dodgers pitchers were doing their jobs for the most part and, when they weren’t, the defense was helping out (Skip Schumaker‘s error last night serving as the obvious exception).

Here are some bullet points for an off-day for the Dodgers, except for Chad Billingsley, who will make his debut tonight in Rancho Cucamonga:

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Ten Dodgers become free agents.

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The Dodgers declined to exercise the 2013 club options on Todd Coffey, Juan Rivera and Matt Treanor.

They join another seven players who became free agents today: Brandon League, Shane Victorino, Randy Choate, Jamey Wright, Joe Blanton, Adam Kennedy and Bobby Abreu.

In other words, no big names or surprises for the Dodgers on the first day of free agency. Players can only sign with new teams beginning at 9 p.m. Friday. Between now and then, the Dodgers can re-sign any of their in-house free agents, and they’ve already opened discussions with League’s representatives.

General manager Ned Colletti said that he would like to bring back Choate and Wright, as well, to keep intact a bullpen that finished the 2012 season strong.

Coffey, Rivera and Treanor now fall into the category of Victorino, Kennedy and Abreu: highly unlikely to be on the roster next season.

Blanton is an interesting case. The Dodgers gave him what amounted to a 10-start audition in August and September. In five starts at home, the 31-year-old right-hander went 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA. Not bad. In five road starts he was 1-3, 6.51. Bad.

I guess that makes Blanton a “known quantity” for a team that is looking to add a starting pitcher. But looking at a free-agent market that now includes Zack Greinke, Anibal Sanchez, Ryan Dempster, Kyle Lohse  and Hiroki Kuroda (another “known quantity”), the Dodgers probably figure they can do better.

The hot stove is just warming up.

No extra playing time for Bobby Abreu, but no retirement, either.

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Bobby Abreu‘s first career pinch-hit home run provided the final two runs of the Dodgers’ 8-0 win over the Colorado Rockies. After the game, manager Don Mattingly was asked if he’d do more to get Abreu into the lineup.

With Shane Victorino, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier all healthy? No.

But there’s something to be said for the fourth act of Abreu’s season. Let’s call Act 1 “Anaheim,” Act 2 “Starter for the Dodgers,” Act 3 “Albuquerque” and Act 4 “Pinch hitter.” All 19 of Abreu’s plate appearances in September have come as a pinch-hitter. Add in his last four at-bats in July before the Dodgers designated him for assignment, and Abreu has made 23 straight plate appearances as a pinch hitter.

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Bobby Abreu up for stretch run.

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Bobby Abreu was back Sunday. It didn’t feel like he never left.

Abreu has the same locker stall in the clubhouse, but a new number (12) and a new role — no more being penciled in to the first, third or fifth slot in the batting order, which he’s done in 40 of his 54 starts this season. Heck, the 38-year-old outfielder probably won’t start a game with Shane Victorino, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Juan Rivera all ahead of him on the outfield depth chart.

Now, Abreu becomes “another guy off the bench that has been around, is going to be comfortable up there, knows what he’s doing,” manager Don Mattingly said.

To make room for Abreu on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers creatively recalled Chris Withrow from Double-A Chattanooga and placed him on the 60-day disabled list. Withrow hasn’t pitched since Aug. 17.
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Abreu in, Sellers out.

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Bobby Abreu is a Dodger.

Less than a week after he was released by the Angels, the 38-year-old outfielder signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers in advance of today’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Abreu was not listed in the starting lineup.

The 17-year veteran was hitting .208 at the time of his release. Last season, Abreu batted .253 with eight home runs and 60 RBIs. Abreu is a lifetime .293/.397/.877 (BA/OBP/OPS) hitter and counted Don Mattingly as his hitting coach with the New York Yankees from 2003-06.

To make room for Abreu on the active roster, infielder Justin Sellers was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. Sellers batted .150 (3-for-20) with two doubles in 10 games (7 starts).

The Dodgers now have 40 players on their 40-man roster.