[HarlemHxC814]

Abreu, Lidle traded from Phillies to Yankees

By ROB MAADDI, AP Sports Writer
July 30, 2006

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The New York Yankees acquired All-Star right fielder Bobby Abreu and starting pitcher Cory Lidle from the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday for four minor league prospects.

Desperate for pitching and a productive bat in their depleted outfield, the Yankees took on Abreu's hefty contract, hoping he can help them catch first-place Boston in the AL East.

ADVERTISEMENT


"It's a good team. They have some good players. It's a team everyone wants to go to," said Abreu, who already has an apartment in New York.

A .301 career hitter, Abreu fills a major void in the lineup. New York has been without injured outfielders Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui for most of the season.

"Things started heating up with Philadelphia in the last few days," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "The commitment left with Bobby is a pretty good commitment. This club has worked so hard and with so much fight. If I could, I wanted to give it a chance to win."

Abreu's arrival could mean Sheffield won't return to New York next year. The Yankees hold a $13 million option on his contract for 2007.

The Phillies get left-hander Matt Smith and Class-A shortstop C.J. Henry -- a first-round draft pick in 2005. They also landed rookie league catcher Jesus Sanchez and right-hander Carlos Monasterios.

"You never think you got enough, but we're happy with what we got," general manager Pat Gillick said.

Abreu received $1.5 million from the Phillies to waive his no-trade clause and accept the deal. The Yankees owe him about $4.3 million of his $13.5 million salary this year, plus $15.5 million next season. He has a club option for $16 million in 2008 with a $2 million buyout. The Yankees did not exercise that option.

With trade speculation swirling, Abreu was pulled from Philadelphia's starting lineup about 10 minutes before the first game of Sunday's day-night doubleheader against Florida, but remained in the dugout. He walked around hugging teammates in the third inning and stayed on the bench, laughing, chatting and cheering.

When the trade was announced to the crowd before the ninth inning, Abreu got a standing ovation. He came out of the dugout, waved and blew kisses to fans. Lidle also came out and tipped his hat.

"That was special. I was almost crying," Abreu said.

Abreu was batting .277 with eight homers and 65 RBIs. His 91 walks led the majors and his .427 on-base percentage was third in the National League. He has 198 home runs and 841 RBIs over 10 seasons.

Lidle provides depth in a rotation that has struggled due to injuries and inconsistency. The 34-year-old right-hander is 8-7 with a 4.74 ERA in 21 starts this season.

"I wouldn't do it if I didn't get a pitcher back," Cashman said. "I had to get Lidle or the deal didn't get done. Philadelphia got some players in this deal. I'm tired of giving players. I want to get players."

Lidle has won his last four starts, pitching eight innings in each of the last two.

"I'm excited about the opportunity," he said.

When the Phillies first began shopping Abreu last offseason, they wanted a front-line starter in return. Instead, they didn't get anyone they can insert into a struggling rotation.

The 27-year-old Smith, converted from a starter to a reliever in the minors last season, didn't allow a run in 12 innings with the Yankees this season. He was sent to Triple-A Columbus on July 4.

Henry, 20, was the 17th overall selection in the 2005 amateur draft. He was hitting .232 with two homers and 33 RBIs in 76 games for Charleston in the South Atlantic League. He'll be assigned to Class-A Lakewood.

Sanchez, 18, and Monasterios, 20, both were signed in 2004 and played for the Gulf Coast Yankees. Sanchez was hitting .264 in 23 games, and Monasterios was 1-2 with a 2.97 ERA in seven games. Both will be assigned to Philadelphia's Gulf Coast League team in Clearwater, Fla.

The trade reunites the 32-year-old Abreu with his former manager, Larry Bowa, who is the Yankees' third-base coach.

"There might be less pressure here than in Philadelphia," Bowa said. "He felt if he didn't do it, no one was going to do it."

One of the most underrated players in the league for years, Abreu made his first trip to the All-Star game in 2004 and thrust himself into the national spotlight with a tremendous power display in the Home Run Derby during All-Star week last year, hitting a record 41 homers.

But the left-handed hitting Abreu left his power stroke in Detroit, site of the 2005 Midsummer Classic. He has just 14 homers since, and hasn't gone deep since June 13, a span of 132 at-bats.

"We are not looking for him to do anything other than what he has been doing," Cashman said.

A fan favorite early in his career, Abreu was sometimes vilified in Philadelphia in recent years. Though he won his first Gold Glove last season, Abreu's defense was heavily criticized, especially because it often appeared he shied away from contact with the wall. Some critics say he takes too many pitches, particularly in clutch situations with runners on base. And, Abreu's preference to bat third when he might have been a perfect fit as a leadoff hitter in Philadelphia's lineup made him appear selfish.

Abreu has batted at least .300 six times, including a career-best .335 in 1999. He had two 30-homer seasons in 2001 and 2004, and stole more than 30 bases in each of those years.

The Yankees have been without Matsui since he broke his left wrist in May, and Sheffield hasn't played since May 29 because of a wrist injury.

Sheffield is targeting a return in September, while Matsui is hoping to come back next month -- though that might be a bit optimistic.

"If we get those guys back, its gravy," Cashman said.

AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick in New York contributed to this report.

[Chaos]

He is a pretty good addition. So I guess the outfield is going to be Melky, Damon, and Abreu? But what about our pitching? How good is Lidle?

[JerseyJet]

Damn. Just to let you know he's only hit 8 hrs this year, and has'nt hit one since June.

[EnRiCH13]

HAHA

Abreu is washed up and hasnt been good since last allstar break...
and hes making more than arod...good luck abreu...it wont be long before the boos.

[JerseyJet]

HAHA

Abreu is washed up and hasnt been good since last allstar break...
and hes making more than arod...good luck abreu...it wont be long before the boos.

I actually have no problem with you saying that. Its true. He washed up even though he's in is early thirties. He makes more than arod? Would'nt that make him the highest paid player in the MLB?

[EnRiCH13]

I actually have no problem with you saying that. Its true. He washed up even though he's in is early thirties. He makes more than arod? Would'nt that make him the highest paid player in the MLB?

well arod makes a total of 25 mil a year...but the yankees only have to pay him 15 mil

idk how much he makes this year but abreu makes 16mil next year in which the yankees will pay...
so the yankees have to pay more for abreu than arod.

[smallguy]

This is a great trade for the yankees. Lidle is a good 5th starter something the yankees don't have. Abreu has a good arm plus good defense and is a solid hitter. The yankees gave up a couple of average minor leaguers, a 27 year old minor leaguer and a minor league SS which the yankees don't need. Though abreu only has 8 HR his OBP is .427 which is damn good.

[JerseyJet]

I thought A-Rod made 52 mil a year, or is that hes contract for like couple years?

[DRob63Cmart28]

HAHA

Abreu is washed up and hasnt been good since last allstar break...
and hes making more than arod...good luck abreu...it wont be long before the boos.

Washed up? Abreu has been good this year not great but good despite playing on a shitty team in where he has to do it all. Hes gonna be great for the Yankees dont be salty mets fan because every big trade or signing you make is a bust.

[EnRiCH13]

Washed up? Abreu has been good this year not great but good despite playing on a shitty team in where he has to do it all. Hes gonna be great for the Yankees dont be salty mets fan because every big trade or signing you make is a bust.

LMAO

Beltran, Pedro, Lo Duca, and Delgado are all busts...you have no idea what your talking about...
face the facts, abreu has 8 homers.

hes has to do it all? Theres this guy,Ryan Howard, idk if youve heard of him,yea hes pretty good.
Abreu has done nothing all year...he had more home runs in the home run derby than hes had since.

So next time think about what your gonna say before you post something so stupid again.

I thought A-Rod made 52 mil a year, or is that hes contract for like couple years?

he makes 25 mil every year but texas pays ten mil...

remember he signed a 10 year 250mil contract.

[DRob63Cmart28]

LMAO

Beltran, Pedro, Lo Duca, and Delgado are all busts...you have no idea what your talking about...
face the facts, abreu has 8 homers.

hes has to do it all? Theres this guy,Ryan Howard, idk if youve heard of him,yea hes pretty good.
Abreu has done nothing all year...he had more home runs in the home run derby than hes had since.

So next time think about what your gonna say before you post something so stupid again.

They arent busts but Victor Zombrano was as well as Mo Vaugn and many more that I dont even need to name to show how pathetic the mets have been in trades.

Yes Ryan Howard is amazing but 2 players cant do it all and Ryan Howard alone isnt gonna take that much pressure off Abreu. The Yankees lineup is sick and that will take pressure off Abreu and when Matsui and Sheff come back were gonna be even more sick. Abreu has 8 homers and 65 RBI's thats good not great but good. Hes a gold glove RF and has an OBP of .427. that is not bad at all.

[JerseyJet]

LMAO

Beltran, Pedro, Lo Duca, and Delgado are all busts...you have no idea what your talking about...
face the facts, abreu has 8 homers.

hes has to do it all? Theres this guy,Ryan Howard, idk if youve heard of him,yea hes pretty good.
Abreu has done nothing all year...he had more home runs in the home run derby than hes had since.

100% correct.

How the hell is Beltran a bust. He can catch, run, hit, and throw. Hes perfect! Pedro has already proven himself with Boston and Lo Duca is the best catcher in the NL. Delgado is the best 1b next to Howard and Pujols!
The whole mets team is stack and your just crying because your skankees are in 2nd place to Boston. As much as I hate to say it, the Mets are the best team in baseball. Better than Detriot.
And don't call Philly a shitty team. They got Pat Burrell a slugger with a good arm. Aaron Rowand who can catch anything, Jimmy Rollins who can run as fast as anybody in the MLB, Chase Utley who is one of the best contact hitters in MLB, Ryan Howard who is tied for the MLB HR title with 35. The only reason they have a shitty record is because there pitching sucks. Beside Flash Gordon. You just showed you know nothing about baseball,DRob63Cmart28.

Beast of the East, well put.

[JetsOhFive]

Washed up? Abreu has been good this year not great but good despite playing on a shitty team in where he has to do it all. Hes gonna be great for the Yankees dont be salty mets fan because every big trade or signing you make is a bust.

He has to do it all? He's good but it's been Ryan Howard and Chase Utley who have been doing it all for the Phillies. Abreu has been solid this year but never carried the team at any point.

[Jetsfan115]

arod makes 25 million a year so abreu doens't make more.

abreau is washed up but still we lost 2 all star calliber out fielders. we needed someone and agian the yanks trade away the farm (system) for old players. sigh

[EnRiCH13]

arod makes 25 million a year so abreu doens't make more.

abreau is washed up but still we lost 2 all star calliber out fielders. we needed someone and agian the yanks trade away the farm (system) for old players. sigh

pay attention...

yankees will be paying arod 15 mil
abreu 16 mil

abreu makes more from yanks.

[smallguy]

abreau is washed up but still we lost 2 all star calliber out fielders. we needed someone and agian the yanks trade away the farm (system) for old players. sigh

Jetsfan115, besides CJ henry none of those guys where really good/good. We really didn't need Henry becuase he is a SS and we have Jeter and we can draft another SS later. The other 2 guys are average at best and we signed a 16 year C who is supposed to be amazing, so it doesn't really matter we trade that other catcher (unless he turns out to be something really good) Matt smith is a toss up, he is 27 but he did pitch in the major eariler with the yankees and he gave up no runs in 12 innings, he could be good or he could be lucky.

[Chadforpresidentin08]

I'd say this is a good deal, basically all the guys we traded away have really struggled in the minors (Henry hasn't ammounted to much even though a first rounder), maybe with the exception of Matt Smith, and as Smallguy mentioned, is 27.
But I think the big part of the deal is Lidle, we really need a #4 or #5 starter not named Chacon or Ponson and we got a really good one. Big boost for the pitching.

[JetsOhFive]

I'd say this is a good deal, basically all the guys we traded away have really struggled in the minors (Henry hasn't ammounted to much even though a first rounder), maybe with the exception of Matt Smith, and as Smallguy mentioned, is 27.
But I think the big part of the deal is Lidle, we really need a #4 or #5 starter not named Chacon or Ponson and we got a really good one. Big boost for the pitching.

I couldn't have been happier that the Yanks took Lidle off our hands. I got sick of watching him suck for us. You want the little fucker? Take him. I dont care if he goes 10-0 the rest of the way.

[JerseyJet]

I'm just glad we got Wolf back. Even though the rest of our starters suck.

[DRob63Cmart28]

100% correct.

How the hell is Beltran a bust. He can catch, run, hit, and throw. Hes perfect! Pedro has already proven himself with Boston and Lo Duca is the best catcher in the NL. Delgado is the best 1b next to Howard and Pujols!
The whole mets team is stack and your just crying because your skankees are in 2nd place to Boston. As much as I hate to say it, the Mets are the best team in baseball. Better than Detriot.
And don't call Philly a shitty team. They got Pat Burrell a slugger with a good arm. Aaron Rowand who can catch anything, Jimmy Rollins who can run as fast as anybody in the MLB, Chase Utley who is one of the best contact hitters in MLB, Ryan Howard who is tied for the MLB HR title with 35. The only reason they have a shitty record is because there pitching sucks. Beside Flash Gordon. You just showed you know nothing about baseball,DRob63Cmart28.

Beast of the East, well put.

1st of all your the idiot here. Were only a half a game back from the blowsox. We could easily overcome that. Also not once in my posts did I say Delgado or Beltran were busts. Read before you speak. Also were in 1st in the wildcard and we have done it through injuries and a lot to overcome in a tough division. The phillies are a shitty team they suck in a bad division thats pathetic it doesnt matter who they have bottom line is they suck their records garbage thats what matters. Mets are no where near the best team in baseball. They showed in interleague play why their not the best and they never will be. Their lucky enough to be in a terrible divsion with terrible teams. They will get knocked out the 1st round the playoffs you watch. Thats if Atlanta doesnt come back on them hahahaha.