LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers Friday announced the signing of outfielder Bobby Abreu to a one-year contract and
optioned infielder Justin Sellers to Triple-A Albuquerque. General Manager Ned
Colletti made the announcement.
“Bobby has consistently performed throughout his career
and brings his winning experience to the clubhouse,” said Colletti. “He gives us
a left-handed bat off the bench and will also see time in the outfield. He has
been a very good hitter throughout his career, he knows how to work a count and
has been a run producer.”
The 38-year-old has a .293 career batting average with
557 doubles, 284 home runs and 1,330 RBI in 2,255 games in 17 Major League
seasons with the Astros (1996-97), Phillies (1998-2006), Yankees (2006-08) and
Angels (2009-12). The two-time All-Star (2004, 2005), Rawlings Gold Glove Award
recipient (2005) and Silver Slugger honoree (2004) ranks among the active
leaders (min. 3000 PA) in games played (2,255, 7th), runs
scored (1,413, 7th), hits (2,389, 7th), walks
(1,421, 3rd), doubles (557, 2nd),
extra-base hits (899, 6th), steals (393, 6th) and
on-base percentage (.397, 9th). Abreu has appeared in 140 or more games
in each of the past 14 seasons and has not been on the disabled list since
1997.
Abreu is one of just four players in MLB history with
more than 500 doubles, 250 home runs and 350 steals, joining Barry Bonds, Rickey
Henderson and Craig Biggio. Abreu hit 15 or more home runs in 13 consecutive
seasons from 1998-2010, including nine 20-homer seasons and two 30-home run
campaigns, and driven in 100 or more runs eight times in his career. He has
stolen 20 or more bases in 13 consecutive seasons, which is the longest active
streak by a big leaguer and the longest streak since Rickey Henderson had 23
consecutive seasons with 20 or more steals from
1979-2001.
Abreu has batted .314 with runners in scoring position
in his career and hit .318 with runners on base. He has posted a .354 career
batting average with the bases loaded, including nine grand slams, which are
tied for the 11th-most among active players. Abreu has also
fared well against NL West competition during his career, posting a .301 batting
average with 53 home runs and 251 RBI in 221 career games against the
division.
The native Venezuelan has played in the postseason on
four occasions, batting .284 (19-for-67) with six doubles, a home run and nine
RBI in 20 games.
Abreu was batting .208 (5-for-24) with three doubles and
five RBI in eight games with the Angels this season prior to his release on
April 30 and was originally signed by the Astros as a non-drafted free agent at
the age of 16 out of Venezuela.
