It sure looked like Bobby Abreu’s career was over when he was released from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim earlier this season, in order to make room for rookie phenom Mike Trout. After all, Abreu was hitting just .208, with zero homers and 5 RBI, in just eight games with the Angels, and the 38-year-old appeared to be on his last legs.

Abreu parts ways with the Angels

Before the 2012 season, the Angels had tried to trade Abreu twice. The outfielder/designated hitter was supposed to be traded to the New York Yankees, a team he had played for in the past, for A.J. Burnett. But Burnett vetoed the trade. Abreu then reportedly told the Angels that he wanted to either play every day as the DH, or be traded. While the Angels did try to trade him, they were unable to, and ended up releasing him at the end of April.

Then a funny thing happened at what was supposed to be the end of Abreu’s career. He ended up signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Angels’ rival team, even though he had been playing much more as a designated hitter than as an outfielder of recent year. You would think that he would not serve a National League team well, due to that situation, but Abreu is back in the outfield this year with the Dodgers.

A new era

So far, Abreu has done a pretty good job for his first few months with the Dodgers, hitting in the .280s, although he recently slowed down, which put him at .255. However, what Abreu is best-known for his great on-base percentage skills.  He has a career OBP of .396, a remarkable figure, and this year, his OBP has stayed around .366. Abreu is an extremely patient hitter, who is not afraid to work the count. Abreu has 24 walks this year, to go with 2 homers and 15 RBI at press time. One of Abreu’s homers came against the Angels, his old team, during inter-league play earlier this season.

Abreu has definitely resurrected his career this season, and has been one of the reasons the Dodgers is one of the top teams in baseball. So is he worth picking up for your fantasy baseball team? If you need both hits and walks, Abreu provides a very good combination. He also occasionally steals a base. If Abreu keeps up his career resurrection in 2012, which he seems to be doing, he may be worthy as a utility fantasy baseball sleeper pick for your fantasy baseball team.

Lisa Swan writes for DraftStreet Fantasy Baseball.