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Phillies deal Abreu to Yankees

5 min read

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Bobby Abreu has another chance to prove he can thrive under playoff pressure. The New York Yankees acquired the two-time All-Star right fielder 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.

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, who already has an apartment in New York, 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 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, it’s gravy,” Cashman said.

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