Bobby Abreu
Rumors

Ken Rosenthal of foxsports.com believes that free agent outfielder Johnny Damon and agent Scott Boras will seek to sign a contract similar to what fellow 35+ outfielder Bobby Abreu signed a few weeks ago with the Angels.  Abreu and the Angels agreed to a two-year, $19M deal on November 6th after signing a one-year $5M deal in late February in 2009. 

Most speculation has the Yankees interested in bringing Damon back, but on a short term basis.  Rosenthal, however, feels that if Damon is looking for Abreu-money, that is not good news for Yankees fans.  Seems as if the Yankees would be happy to have Damon back at less than $10M per season. 

The Yankees hope to retain Johnny Damon - can they afford him?

John Lackey is the only top of the rotation starter available in free agency, but that does not mean he'll be the only ace-level pitcher to change teams this off season.  As teams like the Blue Jays and Braves enter rebuilding phases, big names pitchers like Roy Halladay and Javier Vazquez could are viable trade options.  But, which teams would be interested and able to acquire top pitching talent?  Buster Olney of espn.com evaluates:

Milwaukee Brewers

CC Sabathia is an exhibt of both why the Brewers could be looking for a big name pitcher and why they can't afford to get one.  On one had, it was just a year ago that they offered Sabathia $100M in free agency, perhaps enough to land Lackey.  On the other hand, in order to acquire Sabathia, they seriously depleted their farm system and that makes taking a run at Halladay and Vazquez difficult. 

Texas Rangers

Back in July when Roy Halladay rumors were dominating the headlines, the Rangers were one of the most logical choices for Halladay to be traded to, but financial concerns killed any chance of the move going through.  The Rangers have alleviated their financil difficulty (for now, anyway) and still have a wealth of prospects to trade for Halladay or Vazquez.  Olney mentions that there have been rumors of the Braves and Rangers discussing a deal for Vazquez already.  Even if the Rangers do not want to part with their young talent, Lackey could still be an option for a team that seems to be a pitcher away.

Los Angeles Angels

Whether the Angels resign Lackey or not, they will still be below last year's payroll because of the likely departure of a number of free agents, even after the recent Bobby Abreu  resiging.  Talks between the Angels and Lackey seem to be mild at best, but perhaps the Angels are positioned to make an offer for Halladay.  The Blue Jays are known to be looking for middle infield talent and the Angels have plenty.  Any money not spent on Lackey could be used to sign Halladay to a long-term extension. 

Los Angeles Dodgers

The impending divorce of team owners Frank and Jaime McCourt could change everything, but assuming that the finances of the divorce are not worked out this off-season, the Dodgers could really use another pitcher (as evidenced by how much they struggled in the post-season).  The challenge is, can they acquire someone like Halladay or Vazquez without moving Andre Ethier or Matt Kemp who are untouchable.

Will Javier Vazquez be a Brave in 2010?

In a similar fashion to Bobby Abreu who agreed to a contract three months earlier than last year, Manny Ramirez has taken any drama out of the off season for him this year by accepting his $20M option for the 2010 season, espn.com is reporting. 

Last season Ramirez and agent Scott Boras famously did not reach a contract agreement with the Dodgers until after spring training started.  Though Ramirez had until the end of the month to accept the option or opt out of the rest of his two-year, $45M deal, Ramirez made the decision very early in the process. 

After serving a 50 game suspension for violating baseball substance abuse policy, Ramirez hit .290 with 19 home runs and 63 RBIs in 104 regular season games.

Manny Ramirez is back for another season in Los Angeles

To avoid another winter like last year, free agent outfielder Bobby Abreu agreed to a two-year, $19M contract with the Los Angeles Angels only two days after the World Series, espn.com is reporting.

In 2008, Abreu made $16M in the final year of his contract with the New York Yankees, but struggled to find many suitors in the off-season that followed. Ultimately Abreu signed a 1-year, $5M deal with the Angles on February 12th, long after most free agents had agreed to a contract. Abreu responded with an excellent season, hitting .293 with 15 homers, 103 RBIs, 30 steals and 94 walks. Abreu is also credited with bringing a patient approach to hitting to the typically aggressive Angels.

Abreu will make $9M in 2010 and 2011 and has a $9M option for 2012 which will guarantee if Abreu makes 550 plate appearances in 2011 or 1,200 total between 2010 and 2011.

Bobby Abreu

Name: Matt Holliday
Age: 29
Position: OF
Current Team: St. Louis Cardinals
Current Contract: 08:$9.5M, 09:$13M

Performance: Since being traded to St. Louis from the As in the middle of the 2009 season, Holliday has been a major component of the Cardinals offense. With St. Louis Holliday hit 359/419/604 (BA/OBP/SLG) with 13HRs, and 55RBI in just 63 games. Holliday is mostly known for his tremendous performance in Colorado from 2004-2008 before he was traded to the As.  However, while with Oakland, Holliday struggled hitting 286/378/454 with 11HR and 54RBI in 93 games.  Which Holliday will his new team be getting?

Outlook: Two years younger than the other premiere outfielder available, Jason Bay, Holliday is likely the #1 free agent available this off season.  His contract is likely to impact that of Bay and possibly players like Bobby Abreu, Vladimir Guerrero and even John Lackey.  The big question is how to evaluate his difficult 93 games in the American League vs. the extremely productive 63 games in the National League.  Hitting behind Albert Pujols certainly helps, but is the issue more of an AL vs. NL thing.  Will AL teams be scared off by Holliday's AL stats?  Either way, Holliday figures to get a multi-year contract averaging $18M to $20M per year.

Suitors: Cardinals, Giants, Mets, Braves, Angles, Red Sox, Yankees.

Prediction: Definitely an NL team, look for the Giants to make a surprise signing.

Free agent slugger Matt Holliday

Name: John Lackey
Age: 31
Position: RHP
Current Team: Los Angeles Angles
Current Contract: 06:$3.01M, 07:$5.5M, 08:$7M, 09:$9M

Performance: Undoubtedly, Lackey posted his best season in 2007 when he finished 3rd in the Cy Young voting and had his lone All-Star appearance.  Lackey posted a 3.01 ERA that season along with a 1.21 WHIP and 179?K in 224 IP.  Since then, Lackey's numbers haven't been quite as impressive (3.80 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 269K in 339 IP), but he's still been a very solid pitcher in the American League.

Outlook: Lackey is unquestionably the best pitcher available on the free agent market this off-season.  He is considered the cream of the free agent class along with Jason Bay and Matt Holliday.  His numbers are comparable to that of the Yankees AJ Burnett, who signed for five years and $82.5M last off season.  The Angels are certainly interested in keeping their ace right hander, but at $16.5M per season, they may not be able to when they may also need to pay the likes of Vladimir Guerrero, Bobby Abreu and Chone Figgins.

Suitors: Angels, Mets, Rangers, Braves, Phillies.

Prediction: The Mets need to make a splash after a frustrating season.

John Lackey of the Los Angeles Angels

Former Yankee and Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu has reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Angels.  The deal is for one year and $5M plus incentives.  Jerry Crasnick of espn.com says that the incentives could add up to $8M, but the deal will not be official until Abreu passes his physical and the Angels make room for him on their 40 man roster.

Adam Dunn has signed agreed to terms with the Washington Nationals according to Chico Harlan of the Washington Post.  MLB.com's Bill Ladson confirms the deal.  Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated notes that the deal is two years and $20M.  Alex Speier of WEEI gives us an explanation as to why the Red Sox were not in on Dunn or Bobby Abreu (who signed with the Angels).

Alex Rodriguez admitting to steroid use is dominating the headlines today, but there's till news to report.

• Adam Kennedy was released by the Cardinals.
• Jeff Weaver has agreed to a minor league contract with the Dodgers.
• Rich Aurilia has signed with the Giants for $1M for 2009 if he makes the team.
• The Brewers are very close to announcing that they have signed Braden Looper to a one year contract for 2009 with a team option for 2010.
• Rockier general manager Dan O'Dowd stated today that the team is no longer interested in Joe Beimel.
• Morgan Ensberg and the Rays have agreed to a minor league deal.
• The As signed Edgar Gonzalez to a minor league deal.
• The Diamondbacks may still be interested in bringing Juan Cruz back.
• The Astros were not interested in Adam Dunn and are not in on Bobby Abreu either.
• There are allegedly two teams still interested in Ken Griffey Jr. and his agent expects to have a deal completed by next week.

There have been a few rumors linking free agent Bobby Abreu to the White Sox.

• Roger Rubin of the New York Daily News suggested that the White Sox made an one year $8M offer to Abreu,
• The White Sox rejected that rumor.
• Espn.com's Jerry Crasnick has more on the rumored offer.  The White Sox merely suggested the idea to Abreu's agent and talks went no where from there.