Angels reportedly on verge of trading Bobby Abreu to Indians

Tempe, Ariz. -- The Angels are on the verge of trading disgruntled outfielder Bobby Abreu to the Cleveland Indians, according to a CBSSports.com report.

Peter Greenberg, the agent for the 38-year-old veteran, said Thursday night that he had not received confirmation from either club about a deal, and neither the Angels nor Indians would comment.

Abreu’s potential role with the Angels seemed to shrink with every weak ground ball and popup — he’s hitting .087 (4 for 46) this spring — and every hit by Kendrys Morales, who is poised to take over the Angels’ designated hitter role after missing 1 1/2 seasons because of a broken left ankle.

Abreu, who has 2,384 hits and 554 doubles in a distinguished 16-year career, said at the beginning of camp that he preferred to be traded if he wasn’t going to be an everyday player.

Manager Mike Scioscia tried to appease Abreu in February by telling him he would get 400 plate appearances, but with Morales on the verge of returning and young slugger Mark Trumbo available to play the corner outfield spots and DH, there appeared to be little need for Abreu.

If a deal is finalized, the Angels are expected to pay most, if not all, of Abreu’s $9-million salary this season. There was speculation that the player coming from the Indians would be 28-year-old outfielder Trevor Crowe, who was pulled from a minor league game on Thursday.

Crowe, who missed most of 2011 because of shoulder and elbow injuries, is batting .385 (five for 13) this spring. He was a first-round draft pick in 2005, but he has played in only 205 major league games for the Indians, hitting .243 with three home runs, 34 doubles and 55 runs batted in.

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Angels reportedly on verge of trading Bobby Abreu to Indians