What About Bobby?

At the end of the season, New York Yankees outfielder Bobby Abreu became a free agent, and with this came the speculation of him not returning to the team next season. While Abreu wants to stay with the Yankees, who he has played two years and two months for, it is uncertain whether the Yankees management will keep him.

In his two years with the Yankees, Abreu proved to be an asset to the team by ending last season with a batting average of .283, 123 RBI, and 16 home runs, and this season with a batting average of .296, 100 RBI, and 20 home runs.

This season was also the sixth consecutive season of 100 RBI or more for Abreu, which makes him one of three players in the league to have completed the feat. The other two players are the Yankees’ third baseman Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols of St. Louis Cardinals.

Abreu proved to Yankee fans that he is worthy of a long-term contact, but with five other outfielders the Yankees can choose from, a long-term contract may not be in their best interest.

Johnny Damon and Xavier Nady were the Yankees most productive outfielders this season along with Abreu. Damon clinched the Yankees’ highest batting average ending the season with .303, while Nady, who only played 59 games with the Yankees, had 13 home runs, 26 RBI and a .268 batting average.

However, the Yankees also have Hideki Matsui, who although was out with an injury has been a vital asset to the Yankee organization since his debut in 2003, Melky Cabrera, and Brett Gardner.

With the Yankee’s need to focus on pitching, it is possible Yankee outfielders will be traded to strengthen the bullpen.  As many outfielders have a no trade clause, it seems Abreu is one of the more likely to be traded.

But it isn’t just Abreu who Yankee fans may have to get used to doing without. Jason Giambi is a free agent along with Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina who both recently filed for free agency. While Giambi will most likely not return to the Yankees next season, Pettitte has expressed his hope for pitching for the team next year. But so far, he has not heard anything from the Yankee organization.

According to recent reports from the New York Daily News, Yankee manager Joe Girardi believes Mussina is going to retire. After winning his seventh golden glove last Thursday, coming off a 20-win season, and being so close to winning 300 games, fans are rooting for his return.

“He was by far the most consistent pitcher the team had this year, and he carried the staff for awhile when everyone was hurt,” said Yankee fan Kyle Haiss. “If he returns, it would definitely help the Yankees."

While everything surrounding the makeup of the team is speculation, fans are hoping to see many familiar faces in the field, but a few new faces on the mound.

“I think that the Yankees need to get some big name pitchers like CC Sabathia. Pitching should be their priority,” said Dan Colascione. “But they also need players like Abreu in order to have a productive offense.”