Phillies bring back Bobby Abreu on minor-league deal

This is the winter of Phillies reunions, from Larry Bowa to Marlon Byrd, Charlie Manuel and, now, Bobby Abreu.

The Phillies signed Abreu, who turns 40 in March, to a minor-league deal Tuesday. Abreu did not play in American professional baseball last season.

Abreu impressed scouts with his recent performance in Venezuelan winter ball. He batted .322 with an .877 OPS in 50 games for Leones del Caracas. But during postseason play, Abreu has eight home runs in 15 games with a .464 batting average and 1.764 OPS.

The two-time all-star outfielder has spent the majority of the winter playing right field in an effort to show his seriousness about this comeback bid.

He played nine seasons with the Phillies from 1998 to 2006 and is one of the franchise's all-time best at reaching base. His .416 on-base percentage ranks fourth in team history. He is fourth in doubles (348), ninth in runs scored (891), eighth in total bases (2,491), seventh in stolen bases (254) and second in walks (947).

The Phillies traded Abreu to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline in 2006, and then-general manager Pat Gillick deemed it a necessary move to alter the club's culture. The Phillies began a streak of five straight National League East titles in 2007.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. wanted a lefthanded bat for his bench, and it appears Abreu will have the inside track at that job. Abreu, according to the report, will earn $800,000 if he makes the team.

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