New York Yankees: Bye Bye Bobby

The New York Yankees officially said good-bye to right-fielder Bobby Abreu today by declining to offer him arbitration.

An arbitration contract is a way for a team to say that they would like to keep a player around for another year, possibly at a higher price. The salary of a player contracted through arbitration is decided by a third party, which means the salary could increase or decrease from the previous year.

The loss of Bobby Abreu is devastating for die-hard Yankee fans such as myself.

Abreu was simply a ballplayer, the equivalent to a gamer. Night in and night out Bobby got what was asked of him done without second-guessing and with little fan-fare. Bobby was for the team and for winning; he didn’t care about putting up huge numbers or where he ranked on the All-Star votes.

Although this Yankee offense needed a change, the loss of Abreu was not the right one to make. Bobby produced yet another strong season for the Yanks batting .296 with 20 HR, and 100 RBI (his sixth straight season with at least 100).

His on-base percentage stood at a very impressive .371 and he nabbed 22 bases this past season. Abreu is one of the most consistent players in all of Major League Baseball but once again the decision making of the New York Yankees comes into question.

The bombers made a bad choice in declining the option of arbitration on this full effort player. A smarter move would have been to keep Abreu with a one year arbitration deal while the Yankees helped develop minor league outfielders Justin Christian, Bret Gardner, and possibly see the return of Melky Cabrera.

Even if Bobby didn’t want to stay with New York, which he did, if he refused arbitration then the team that signed him would be forced to give up a sandwich draft pick (between first and second round) and a compensatory pick to the Yankees.

Not to mention that the Yankees are now left without a true 3rd hitter. Jeter lacks the pop to fill the gap and A-rod’s power is better suited for clean-up duty with men on base.

Now tell me if anything in this strategy seems negative to you. Keep Abreu on for another year and watch him collect 100 RBI and bat around .300 or get two solid draft picks in the upcoming draft where the Bombers only have five (soon to be less based on free agent signings). I truly don’t understand this move by the Yankees.

All I can say is that I will miss one of my favorite Yankees, a guy who came in to each game just looking to help his team win and nothing more.

You will be missed Bobby.