Red Sox rumors: Boston unlikely to sign Bobby Abreu

While the Boston Red Sox have recently been tied to free agent designated hitter/outfielder Bobby Abreu, it is "unlikely" that the club will sign the veteran, according to Scott Lauber of The Boston Herald:

Although the Red Sox dispatched scouts to Venezuela last week to observe Bobby Abreu's workout, it's unlikely the club will sign the veteran outfielder.

The trip, while confirmed today by a major league source, also was labeled somewhat dismissively as "background work" and "nothing more than a scouting assignment."

Initially, it appeared the Red Sox were targeting Abreu as a potential left-handed-hitting outfielder to split time in left field with Jonny Gomes, who bats from the right side. However, Lauber doesn’t believe the veteran will seriously appeal to the club given his recent string of uninspiring performances.

Last season with the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers, Abreu hit .242/.350/.342 with 11 doubles, one triple and three home runs over 219 at-bats. Abreu made a majority of his appearances in the outfield, but was also used as a designated hitter by the Dodgers during interleague play.

Lauber adds that a team official of the Red Sox said two weeks ago that the club would be "comfortable" with either Ryan Kalish or Daniel Nava platooning with Gomes in left field.