Bobby Abreu is really struggling this year – he’s hitting just .250/.325/.309 in 136 ABs. Even his occasionally Bondsian walk rate is down around 10%. The Yankees are paying him $15MM this year, and have a $16MM option with a $2MM buyout for 2008.
In my 2008 Club Options post a couple of weeks ago, I voted that the Yankees would decline the option. At that point I was ignorant to the buyout price, however. It’s more like a $14MM decision, and that’s a bit more palatable. If Abreu was on track for a line around .290/.420/.450, I think it’s an easy choice to exercise. Commenters in the earlier post leaned towards the Yanks exercising it but then looking to trade Abreu.
Since we still have 80% of the season to go, it’s much too early to call. But if Abreu plays to his 25th percentile PECOTA – .263/.372/.413 – he’ll join the ’08 free agent class. Does his slow start change your opinion on the option?
