Angels ink Abreu to two-year deal

Right fielder reportedly will earn $9 million each season

Lyle Spencer / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- There was something refreshingly different about 2009 -- his 13th Major League season. Bobby Abreu could feel it everywhere, from the clubhouse to the media to the grandstands.

"If you see this season," Abreu said on Thursday, having agreed to a two-year guaranteed deal with the Angels, "the last three or four seasons have been [basically] the same [statistically]. This year I've been more recognized by the fans, and one of the reasons is the Angels let the people know what I'm doing here.

"It means a lot to me this year to have a lot of respect on the field. This is a team that gives you an opportunity to be in the playoffs. My first time with them, I was very close to the World Series. Why not stay?"

Expressing mutual admiration with their checkbook, the Angels moved swiftly to retain the man labeled the club's most valuable performer in 2009 by manager Mike Scioscia. They wrapped up their right fielder through 2011 on the first day players eligible for free agency could file.

While terms of Abreu's new deal were not disclosed, AOL Fan House reports that Abreu will draw $9 million each of the next two seasons, with a $1 million buyout of a $9 million option for 2012 that could be based on plate appearances.

"We are extremely delighted to have Bobby back in our organization for the next two years," Angels general manager Tony Reagins said, having completed the deal "in the last 48 hours."

The list of potential Angels free agents was reduced to six with Abreu rejoining a team he enhanced with both his on-field performance and invaluable leadership. His bat and wisdom fueled an offense that set a franchise-record with 883 runs scored in a third consecutive American League West title run.

"He did a tremendous job for us, both on and off the field," Reagins said.