MLB | Slugger Bobby Abreu returns to Angels

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Bobby Abreu had no interest in spending another winter — or even another week — without an employer. The Los Angeles Angels were only too happy to oblige the slugger who transformed their lineup this year.

The veteran outfielder agreed Thursday to a $19 million, two-year contract to stay with the Angels rather than test the free-agent market again.

"I really feel happy here with Los Angeles," Abreu said. "I really enjoy to play for them, and I think when they started with the conversation for the contract and we didn't have any problems back and forth, it was a nice negotiation. It was no problem to stay and come back with the Angels."

After earning $16 million with the New York Yankees in 2008 under the final year of a contract he originally signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, Abreu became a free agent. He didn't find a new home until Feb. 12, just before spring training, when the Angels gave him a one-year contract that guaranteed $5 million.

He earned an additional $1 million based on plate appearances, but the Venezuelan still was one of the majors' biggest bargains.

Mostly playing right field, Abreu hit .293 with 15 homers, 103 runs batted in, 30 steals and 94 walks as a durable contributor to one of the majors' top offenses. He also raised his game to keep Los Angeles afloat while sluggers Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter were sidelined with midseason injuries, earning AL player of the month honors for July by batting .380 with 28 RBI.

Manager Mike Scioscia labeled Abreu as the Angels' most valuable player late in the season.

Notes

• Pitcher John Lackey and outfielder Matt Holliday were among 79 players who filed for free agency on the first possible day. Outfielder Jason Bay, first baseman Carlos Delgado, pitcher John Smoltz and reliever Billy Wagner also filed, as did pitcher Jon Garland after the Los Angeles Dodgers declined his $10 million option. He will receive a $2.5 million buyout.

• Mark Kotsay agreed to a $1.5 million deal to remain with the Chicago White Sox rather than become eligible for free agency.

• Colorado agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract with right-hander Matt Belisle and a $650,000, one-year deal with left-hander Randy Flores.

• Also filing for free agency were Arizona infielder Chad Tracy and Florida first baseman-outfielder Ross Gload. Tracy's $7 million option was declined by Diamondbacks, and he will receive a $1 million buyout. The Marlins declined a $2.6 million option on Gload and traded outfielder Jeremy Hermida to Boston for left-handers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez.

• Former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle was hired as the new hitting coach for the Texas Rangers.

• The wife of Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt lost her bid to be reinstated as the team's chief executive during a hearing in the couple's messy divorce. Jamie McCourt, 55, was fired last month by her husband, who claims she was having an affair with her bodyguard-driver, also a Dodger employee who was fired, and was doing a poor job in her role as chief executive. Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon ruled that no state law supports Jamie McCourt's bid to get her job back. However, Gordon has yet to decide whether the Dodgers are considered community or separate property. The McCourts are feuding over the validity of their 2004 marital agreement, in which Frank McCourt is listed as sole owner.