Posted at 3:18 p.m., Friday, November 2, 2007
Baseball: Yankees keep Abreu for $16M
By Ronald Blum
Associated Press Baseball Writer
The 33-year-old right fielder overcame a slow start to hit .283 with 16 homers and 101 RBIs this year, when he finished second in the AL behind teammate Alex Rodriguez with 123 runs. Abreau has reached 100 RBIs in five consecutive seasons.
New York obtained Abreu from Philadelphia in July 2006.
"He's been an asset since we acquired him, and we're happy to say he'll be our right fielder in '08," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "I talked to Bobby last night, and there's no doubt where his heart is. He loves being a Yankee. He wanted to be here and, thankfully, we felt the same back."
Cashman didn't discuss the possibility of a contract extension with Abreu.
"The one year is what works," he said. "We're focusing, obviously, on multiyear discussions with the other free agents."
New York has been negotiating to retain closer Mariano Rivera and catcher Jorge Posada. Rivera met with the Yankees this week.
In addition, left-hander Andy Pettitte has until Wednesday to decide on his $16 million player option for next season. Pettitte told Cashman he will either pitch for the Yankees or retire.
