Notita: Bobby Abreu

TEMPE, Ariz. – The uniform is different but the person wearing it remains the same.

From Philadelphia to New York to Anaheim, outfielder Bobby Abreu doesn’t change. He says he never will.

“I am going to do my job wherever I am and it doesn’t matter what team it is for,” Abreu said. “New York was fun. I did my job there. I made a lot of good friends over there but I think I’m going to like it over here.”

Abreu, 34, signed a one-year $5 million contract with the Angels for 2009, after hitting .296 with 100 RBIs and 20 homers for the New York Yankees last season. For his career, Abreu has a .300 batting average with 1084 RBIs and 241 home runs.

“This a team full of winners and there’s good chemistry,” he said. “This is a great outfield. We have a lot of good players that know how to play this game. The talent here is extremely high and that can only help your time win.”

Abreu will play left field alongside center fielder Torii Hunter and right fielder Vladimir Guerrero on a regular basis for the first time in his career but said he is looking forward to the challenge. He will hit second in the lineup for the Angels behind leadoff man Chone Figgins and Guerrero.

“Bobby has been very comfortable coming over here and his interaction with the team, in drills on the field,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “He’s working very hard. On field chemistry is only going to develop in playing next to Torii, seeing the lineup and how the groupings fall in. That’s going to take some time.”

Abreu won’t be in Angels’ camp long. He is schedule to join team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic next month for his second stint with the national team. In 2006, Venezuela finished in seventh place in the tournament.

He expects different results this time around.

“We want to win the cup,” Abreu said. “That’s why you go there. I think we have the team to do it. Last time, we were not able to do it, but this is a new year.”

“I don’t think we were prepared for the event,” he continued. “This time it’s different. We have more preparation and have been practicing. That’s what is going to help us.”

Abreu added that he is looking forward to playing home games in Anaheim and enjoying the atmosphere in southern California.

“Things are little more tranquil on this side of the country,” he said. “In New York, there was always something, some report, some commentary on whatever topic. There’s more media but you get used to it and you play the game. It’s the same.”