Mets' Bobby Abreu announces retirement

New York Mets outfielder Bobby Abreu has announced his retirement, tweets Mike Puma of the New York Post. The 40-year old veteran has played for the Astros, Phillies, Yankees, Angels and the Dodgers during a long major league career that began in 1996. Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News initially reported Abreu's expected retirement earlier today.

Abreu's retirement does not come to anyone's surprise. To go along with his advanced age, he hit only .246/.338/.338 in a limited amount of playing time this season -- a far cry from the days when he was a consistent offensive performer. From 1998 to 2010, Abreu averaged a .297/.402/.492 slash line with a 132 OPS+, displaying a good bat and strong eye at the plate. Abreu was also a good baserunner, stealing 365 bases during that span. The highlight of his career was winning the 2005 Home Run Derby.

After hitting for only a .693 OPS in 2012, Abreu took 2013 off. On March 31, 2014, the Mets signed him to a minor league contract and he hit an impressive .360/.473/.507 with a 162 wRC+ in Triple-A Las Vegas. His time back in the majors was not as kind, and in early August, he was designated for assignment and released. However, the Mets eventually re-signed him and Abreu earned another opportunity in the majors following September's roster expansion.

Abreu joins Derek Jeter and Paul Konerko among the high-profile veterans to hang up their spikes this season.