According to a baseball official, Abreu will get a one-year minor league deal and probably will be a minor leaguer for the Mets. The two sides came to terms on Wednesday, said Abreu's agent Bernie McGregor.

According to McGregor, the right-handed hitting Abreu — whose first name is pronounced "Michelle" — is a 6-foot-3, 230-pounder who plays primarily at first but also has played left field and third base. The agent said Abreu, 31, will have a chance to make the Mets — likely as a backup or role player — and noted that he was Cuba's leading home run hitter for four straight years.

Abreu defected from Cuba in February 2004, according to McGregor, who said the Braves, Rangers, Marlins, Angels and Red Sox also had expressed interest.

Abreu signed with the Red Sox last September, McGregor said, but the contract was voided approximately three weeks later.

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