Bobby Abreu Back in Philadelphia

When you hear that a Major League Baseball team has signed a 39-year old player who is past his prime, most people think they must be crazy. A few days ago, the Philadelphia Phillies decided to give their former star one last chance to continue a great MLB career. This player was Bobby Abreu, though he is not the same as Phillies fans remember. His skills at patrolling the Outfield, hitting home runs, and coming up clutch are no longer the same, he still has something to prove. Bobby Abreu is only a shell of his former self, he now lacks power, lacks speed, and cannot play the field like he once could. However, with all of these problems Abreu does have one thing left in the tank, and that is the desire to play and the hope of rejoining the team that gave him his stardom.

Bobby Abreu has not played a season in the Majors since 2012, for good reason. In this season Abreu batted .242 with 3 home runs in 100 games. Abreu mightily struggled the entire 2012 season, creating thoughts that Abreu may not have the love for the game he once did, and retirement looked like the only option for the veteran star. Abreu struggles would not only occur on the field, but off the field as well. Abreu as many of his teammates and reporters said had a bad overall attitude towards both the fans, management, and the players in the locker. Though he never did anything to harm his team or his teammates his attitude brought everyone down in the clubhouse. During the 2012 season Abreu demanded to be traded or named as a full time starter. Management for teams struggled with the decisions regarding Abreu due to the fact he had become basically a AAAA player, he was too good for AAA, but he lacked the ability to play in the MLB. Bobby Abreu's 2012 would end with the Dodgers and many thought the end of his career would to follow.

Bobby Abreu rather then retiring, decided to revamp his career. Abreu went down to his native homeland Venezuela and trained to get himself back into baseball shape both physically and mentally. Abreu played in the Venezuelan baseball league over the winter, during this time he was simply stated destroying the baseball. Abreu, proved the ability to drive the ball to all sides of the field, as well as proving he still had some pop. During, this winter Abreu has batted .322 with 3 home runs and 28 RBIs. Bobby Abreu would not be an everyday starter for the Phillies, nor is he expecting that. Abreu plans on being a strong left-handed bat off the bench, creating a sense of ease among coaching, who has lacked a left-handed pinch hitter. Abreu's ability during the winter league has proven that he can still play to the best of his ability. With his invitation to Spring Training Bobby Abreu will need to prove himself not only to teammates, but to Ryne Sandberg to have a role on the Phillies. 

There is no denying that Bobby Abreu was a star in Philadelphia, that his best seasons came in the red and white pinstripes. His time with the Phillies consisted of a .303 batting average, 195 home runs, and 254 stolen bases. The contract that the former star signed is for a lowly $800,000 on a Minor League deal which is not guaranteed money. Meaning Abreu must place his name into the headlines once more, and prove himself. Abreu was beloved in Philadelphia until his last days here, hence the reason he jumped at the opportunity to play back in Philadelphia. Bobby Abreu still has the desire, the want, and now the opportunity to play in the Majors once again. Abreu hopes to win a spot on the team for the upcoming season. A strong left-handed bat is what the Phillies needed and it is something that Bobby Abreu may be able to provide them.

-Brett