The Yankees are bringing back Bobby Abreu, but the reason why looking at the numbers is not all that clear...

First off, a programming note – we had hoped to be still bringing Playoff Grumblings all week, but some punk team from New England ended things in four games, changing all that, hence, the need for a week of Offseason Grumblings, which we will wrap up this Sunday.

Starting on Monday, we have our team reviews, where we look back at the year in review for each of the 30 teams, three per week, for ten weeks. On the following day of each team report, we will have our top ten prospects for each, and there has been plenty of controversy already amongst Sports Grumbling staffers about who has and has not made the list and where. Some teams just do not make it easy on us. With those reports taking up Monday through Saturday, Sundays will be all about the latest in offseason movement as we take a look in the Stock Exchange. So, daily baseball will continue here throughout the winter, so be sure to keep tuning back in for more.

Now, on to the latest news and notes from around the game, and we start with the Yankees first. It looks like Bobby Abreu is going to return to the Bronx after all, as the Yankees picked up the $16 option that they have on Abreu’s contract. One has to wonder about the logic here, as Abreu’s power is minimal at this point, with just 16 home runs this season and only 15 in 2006, his defense is far from spectacular, and he is coming off a season with his lowest on-base percentage as a fulltime player. The Yankees could have far more wisely invested the money spent on Abreu in a better outfield option.

Sticking with the option theme, the Red Sox picked up two options of their own, with Tim Wakefield and Julian Tavarez returning for one more season. Tavarez obviously will be returning as a reliever, but Wakefield’s role is far less certain. Josh Beckett is the clear No. 1 starter, and Daisuke Matsuzaka will likely be the No. 2 starter. Jon Lester will needs a slot somewhere, and Clay Buchholz showed that he is ready with his no-hitter in his cup of coffee in the bigs. That is four starters right there. If Curt Schilling comes back, that leaves no spot for Wakefield. Despite a season with a career high in wins, Wakefield might find himself without a starting job next year.

How interested the Red Sox are in keeping Wakefield a starter will be evident in how aggressively they go after Doug Mirabelli, Wakefield’s longtime caddy who has just filed for free agency. When Wakefield pitches, it is as if the Sox are playing in the National League, as Mirabelli hits like a pitcher and will be pulled as soon as Wakefield is out if the game is close and offense is called for. Our bet is that Mirabelli will be looking to catch on as a backup or third string catcher elsewhere, as his bat has made him too much of a liability for the Red Sox to want to re-sign him.

An option declined – the Seattle Mariners have decided that Jose Guillen does not fit into their plans for 2008. Guillen should find suitors as, despite being a punk that makes most teams hate him, he is coming off a productive season, wherein he hit .290 with 23 homers, 99 RBI, and 84 runs, a significant improvement over his disappointing 2006 season.

While there are already plenty of closers in the free agent pool, we might have one more about to hit, as Japan’s Masahide Kobayashi hit the free agent block, and he can sign without a posting anywhere in the US or in Japan. Kobayashi has pitched since 1999 for the Chiba Lotte Marines and he has recorded 227 saves in that time.

The Milwaukee Brewers might have another power-hitting third baseman en route. Mat Gamel hit .300 with 9 homers, 60 RBI, and 78 runs scored in 128 games in the Florida State League, and he flashed signs of future power with 37 doubles. Now playing in the Hawaii Winter Baseball league, Gamel is hitting .338 with 6 home runs, 15 RBI, and 17 runs scored in 77 at-bats, and doubled six times. Gamel does have the same problem that has plagued Ryan Braun, and that is defensive deficiencies, as he already has six errors.

Over in the Arizona Fall League, Max Scherzer continues to put together an excellent debut season with five solid appearances out of the pen for the Scottsdale Scorpions. Scherzer is 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA, striking out twelve and walking just four in his seven innings. Scherzer is on track to make it to the majors at some point next year.

Tomorrow, some more news and some more fall league bits.