Bobby Abreu was designated for assignment on Wednesday to make room for the Dodgers’ acquisition of Shane Victorino from the Phillies. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Golden Glove winner Bobby Abreu has been designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers following the team’s acquisition of Shane Victorino from Philadelphia at the MLB trade deadline on Tuesday, according to a statement released by the team on Wednesday afternoon.

The 38-year-old Abreu was batting .251 over 70 games with the Dodgers since signing with the team on May 4. His .347 on-base percentage this season and .316 batting average in 22 pinch-hitting appearances could make him a low-cost option for a team next season.

The Dodgers also confirmed that Victorino will be in the starting lineup for Wednesday’s game in Los Angeles against the Arizona Diamondbacks, batting leadoff and playing in left field. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly will switch to No. 12 so Victorino can wear No. 8.

The Los Angeles Angels are closing in on a deal to move Bobby Abreu to the Cleveland Indians, according to Jon Heyman of CBS:

#indians, #angels on verge of abreu trade

—
Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) March 30, 2012

The move makes sense for both sides. For the Angels, Abreu didn’t figure to see much playing time this season — the team is expected to start Kendrys Morales at DH and Vernon Wells and Torii Hunter at the corner outfield spots, leaving Abreu as the odd man out. There were rumblings that Abreu either wanted a starting job or a trade, and now it appears he has the latter.

For the Indians, it’s a good fit. Cleveland was scrambling to fill a void in their outfield and the heart of their order, with Grady Sizemore injured; Abreu hits the spot.

Abreu hit .253 with only eight home runs last year, but he did have a solid on-base percentage of .353. He turned 38 earlier this month.

Bobby Abreu is 37, and he’s not ready to be relegated to a bench role in major league baseball. Abreu has demanded that the Los Angeles Angels either play him every day or trade him, according to ESPN.

“I’m an everyday player,” Abreu said. “I can still be in the lineup for a major league team. I will not be on the bench knowing that I can play. If the Angels don’t have a position for me, then the best thing is to trade me. It would be the correct (thing) to do. I won’t be able to do nothing sitting on the bench.”

Abreu had an everyday job for the Angels last season, usually as a DH but also playing a little bit at the corner outfield spots. It was statistically the worst season of his career, as the veteran hit .253 with only eight home runs, but he still managed to get on base at a respectable .353 clip.

Abreu and Angels manager Mike Scioscia have met to discuss Abreu’s role for next season, and according to the outfielder, the two are on the same page.

“I spoke to Scioscia, but the conversation had nothing to do about me being a bench player,” Abreu said. “He told me I will start one day in the left field, another in right and another as a designated hitter.”

New York Yankees starter A.J. Burnett passed on the opportunity to be traded to the Los Angeles Angels for Bobby Abreu, according to the New York Daily News.

The Yankees have been trying to trade Burnett for the majority of this offseason. While they are likely going to be unable to shed the majority of his bloated contract, the club is attempting to redistribute the amount of money they owe to a position of need. Abreu, who himself has a large deal, would have served as their everyday designated hitter.

New York has also been speaking with the Pittsburgh Pirates about a potential deal for Burnett. In such a deal, it is likely that the Yankees would eat up a good portion of the $33 million remaining on Burnett’s deal.

Burnett will report to the Yankees training camp this week, unless a deal is struck by Saturday.