Abreu agreed Thursday to a $19 million, two-year contract to stay with
the Los Angeles Angels rather than test the free-agent market again.
After earning $16 million with the
New York Yankees in 2008 under the final year of a contract he
originally signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, Abreu became a free
agent.
He didn't agree to a deal until Feb.
12, just before spring training, when the Angels gave him a one-year
contract that guaranteed $5 million. He earned an additional $1 million
based on plate appearances.
Abreu's new contract calls for $9
million salaries in each of the next two seasons. It includes a 2012
option for $9 million with a $1 million buyout, and the option would
become guaranteed if Abreu has 550 plate appearances in 2011 or 1,200
in 2010-11 combined.
He hit .293 this year with 15 home
runs, 103 RBIs and 30 steals. The two-time All-Star has driven in at
least 100 runs in seven straight seasons.
Several Los Angeles teammates
credited Abreu with changing the club's approach at the plate with his
deliberate, patient at-bats. The AL West champions reached several
offensive franchise bests this year.
Abreu spent the previous 2 1/2 seasons with the Yankees after 8 1/2 years with Philadelphia.