The contract is obviously an issue.  If the M's pick him up, it would cost them $15 mil next year, and then likely $16 mil in 2008 (he will want his option picked up).  That is a whole lot of cash.  However, the huge numbers involved are offset greatly by the fact that he is only on the books for two years.  At the end of the contract, he will only be 34.  It is a huge amount of money, but the commitment is short.  Compared to what a guy like Carlos Lee or Alfonso Soriano will get in free agency, the M's might be paying a million or two more for a much shorter commitment.  

In terms of what it means for the M's payroll, the club will have Pineiro (6.3 mil), Everett (4 mil), Meche (3.9 mil), Moyer (5.5 mil + lots of incentives), and Guardado (6.25 mil).  The M's also have Richie Sexson's bonus coming off the books, which will free up another 3.5 million.  That adds to a bare minimum of 29.5 million.  Obviously, having Abreu on the payroll eats up a lot of that cash.  But the M's would still have about 15 million left to spend without adding any payroll.  That is a lot of money.  With that type of cash, the M's could go after Jason Schmidt or Daisuke Matsuzaka, plus resign Moyer.  If they add a few million to the roster, which makes sense for an improving club looking to make a run to the playoffs, then they should have enough money to fill their needs.  

Instead of focusing on $$$ and his low HR rates this year, look at what Abreu can do:

-He gets on base.  His current OBP is .439.  His lifetime OBP is .413.  Abreu has consistently gotten on base at a ridiculous clip.  This is the M's biggest need.  

-I mentioned his power numbers above.  But he always hits his share of HRs.  While his numbers aren't that great this year, his track record speaks for itself.  

-He is a high % base stealer.  He has averaged over 31 per year since 2000.  His success rate is a solid 77%.  That is Ichiro-level baserunning.  

-He has a great track record of good health.  In the past five years, he has missed 12 games.  That is amazing.  He plays everyday.  

-He plays a good RF.  He could play LF or RF for the M's.  He gets flack for not bashing into walls.  But so does Ichiro.  He would help improve the M's outfield defense.  

-Overall, he has averaged .302/.413/.508.  That type of production is valuable.  

The biggest thing with Abreu is getting on base.  For the M's, he would be an absoluately perfect #3 hitter.  He would also add a lefty middle of the order bat to the lineup.  

It will be interesting to see what the Phillies require for him.  But the latest rumors suggest that the Phils main objective is to clear his payroll.  If the M's picked up all his salary, they might not have to part with a huge amount of talent.  At least not what the Nats are looking for in return for Soriano.  

I am hoping that the M's just sit tight, bring in a few pitchers next offseason, and see what happens.  

But look at how much that one addition helps the M's lineup (assuming the M's get some balls and ask Ichiro to do what is best for the team):

Ichiro CF
Lopez 2B
Abreu RF
Ibanez LF/DH
Sexson 1B
Johjima C
Snelling DH/LF
Beltre 3B
Betancourt SS

That is an awesome lineup.  That one addition, coupled with moving Ichiro to CF, makes the lineup strong 1-9.  With Abreu getting on base nearly half the time, Ibanez and Sexson would be driving in a LOT of runs.  I like it.  

I would trade Meche before I'd let go of Soriano.  Meche is gonna ink a big contract this winter and then he's going to go right back to being an inconsistent headache--I'd deal him now while the demand is high (same thing we should have done last year with Eddie).

We're kidding ourselves if we believe the M's have a shot at the postseason this year with Grover at the helm.