Bobby Abreu turned up at the L.A Angels’ spring training camp on Monday and even though he said he was not ecstatic, he seemed resigned to his new role with the team. Baseball betting lines

Abreu, who last week declared he’d rather be traded than become a standard utility player, met up with GM Jerry DiPoto and Chief Mike Scioscia and later spoke to the media gathered at Diablo Stadium in Tempe. Baseball lines

“I announced I needed to play every day, which is what I have done my entire career. I’ve always played a 150 plus games, I like playing, I would like to be in the field every day,” Abreu said. “But this is what we have.

“I feel good, fine. I was working in Venezuela and I am very happy to be in the playing field,” added Abreu, who disclosed details of his meeting with DiPoto and Scioscia.

“The scenario they presented was that I’m going to have 400 at-bats, might be more. I might be played as DH, right and left field, and well, that’s what they presented, let’s see if they keep their promise”, related Abreu. “I do not feel cozy, I have always had between 600 and 700 at bats, but it is a different situation now and we’ll see what happens.”

Later, Scioscia said he told Abreu it’d be 400 plate appearances, not 400 at-bats.

“Bobby is an important part of this team, and that’s the most vital thing”, said Albert Pujols, whose locker is right by Abreu’s.

Last season, the 37-year-old outfielder was used usually as a delegated hitter by Scioscia. When the Angels opened their training camp last week, the manager expounded that Keandry Morales would be his DH and bat cleanup and that Mark Trumbo would also get some games as DH. The Angels’ outfield is comprised of Vernon Wells, Torii Hunter and Peter Bourjous, which considerably decreases Abreu’s chance of playing any of the positions all the time.

The Angels tried to trade Abreu in the offseason and that was reported recently that a trade with the New York Yankees for A.J. Burnett was confounded by the pitcher, who later was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Abreu claimed that being traded depends on various factors, but that during his meeting with DiPoto and Scioscia it was never brought up, only how he would be utilized in 2012.

“No, no, we did not talk regarding that, only about the at-bats and my scenario. I’m here to get the job done I know to do, play the game and see what happens. Sometimes you can’t control things,” Abreu claimed.

Abreu, who will receive $9 million next season, batting .293 with 284 homers, 393 steals and 1,325 RBIs in 16 seasons with Houston, Philadelphia, N.Y Yankees and Los Angeles Angels, last season he hit .253 with 8 homers, 21 takes and 60 RBIs.