Angels

Angels’ manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday that he hopes to put Bobby Abreu in a position to be successful.

Abreu told Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com that he wants to be traded if he won’t be an everyday player, but Scioscia still sees a role for him on the team. “How much playing time he gets, we don?t have a crystal ball. We certainly have more depth now than we?ve had in a long time,” explained Scioscia. “But I don?t think Bobby would be valuable playing once or twice a week. He would have to play more than that. But there’s certainly ways to get a lot of guys in the lineup to where they?re contributing.” Abreu is making $9 million this season and most teams have already filled their DH spot, so the 37-year-old may have no choice but to accept a diminished role.

Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto told Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com that Bobby Abreu hasn’t issued an ultimatum to him or manager Mike Scioscia.

“I spoke to Bobby a little more than a week ago, I’d say — a week, 10 days ago — and walked through his current situation, and Mike has had very similar conversations,” said Dipoto. “So, Bobby is aware of the circumstances, he’s aware of the people on the roster. We do see a fit for Bobby on this club, he’s aware of where that fit is. It’s not something that we’re going to play it [out] in the media. … Whether it’s an ultimatum that’s been issued, he has no right to do that.” Abreu is owed $9 million this season, so the Angels would likely have to cover a significant portion of his remaining salary in a trade. As a result, Gonzalez hears they are content to keep him for now.

Bobby Abreu told Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com that he would rather be traded than accept a bench role.

“I’m an everyday player, I can still be in the lineup of a major league team,” said Abreu. “I will not be on the bench knowing I can play.” Abreu’s role will largely depend on the health of Kendrys Morales (ankle) and Mark Trumbo (foot), but with a crowded outfield, he looks like the odd man out right now. The Angels nearly found a match with the Yankees, but A.J. Burnett nixed the deal by using his no-trade clause. Abreu, who turns 38 next month, is owed $9 million this season.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that Bobby Abreu “has been offered around” in trade talks.

The Angels have insisted publicly that they have no plans to trade the veteran, but they have a logjam in the outfield and at DH and surely wouldn’t mind getting Abreu’s $9 million salary off the books. They reportedly would have been willing to offer him to the Yankees in an A.J. Burnett deal, but Burnett could veto any trade to a West Coast team. Abreu batted just .253/.353/.365 with eight homers and 60 RBI in 2011.