Abreu traded to Yanks

[justinevans]

The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees have a tentative deal to send Phillies right fiedler Bobby Abreu and pitcher Cory Lidle to New York ESPN.com's Buster Olney reported Sunday.

The teams had yet to decide which players or prospects will go from the Yankees to Philadelphia, Olney reported.

Abreu is hitting .277 with 8 home runs and 65 RBI in 99 games. He has a career batting average of .301 with 198 home runs and 841 RBI over 10 seasons.

Lidle, a right-hander, is 8-7 with a 4.74 ERA in 21 starts in 2006. In eight seasons he has a career mark of 78-69 with a 4.54 ERA.

Abreu was in the Phillies' starting lineup Sunday but was pulled for Shane Victorino 10 minutes before their game with the Florida Marlins.

[Dirty Ernie]

uneducated phillies fans will bitch if the phils dont get a big name back for abreu but people need to understand that dumping his salary is a great move...there is a good amount of strong free agent pitchers this offseason

[xearlynovemberx]

hahahha, yankees fans just collectively hung themselves

[Dirty Ernie]

hahahha, yankees fans just collectively hung themselves

i love this, shane victorino ftw

[LeftWideOpen]

so, is sheffield done for the year? because theres only 3 OF spots and 4 fat contracts: Damon, Matsui, Abreu and Sheffield.

If the plan is to DH one of them and have Giambi play 1B, then have fun with that defense.

[xearlynovemberx]

so, is sheffield done for the year? because theres only 3 OF spots and 4 fat contracts: Damon, Matsui, Abreu and Sheffield.

If the plan is to DH one of them and have Giambi play 1B, then have fun with that defense.

hahah

[thejetstolehome]

i love this, shane victorino ftw

i <3 him

hahahha, yankees fans just collectively hung themselves

mhm. basically.

[xearlynovemberx]

i <3 him



mhm. basically.

brandons probably laying dead in a pool of his own blood

[LeftWideOpen]

this is a great deal for the phillies. Despite having some great young talent in Rollins, Utley and Howard ..they were a mess. Abreu and Bell were two big reasons why and now they are both gone.

If Gillick somehow moves Burrell, then he deserves Exec of the Year. They'll have so much money to spend on rebuilding around the 3 great young kids.

[marrost]

Good we really needed another average hitter and pitcher. Matsui and Cano will be back this month. They've been too stupid to fix this pitching situation for a few years now. I regained some faith in the team with the "second string" players stepping up to win games, but then they make moves like this that will do next to nothing in trying to score a playoff spot. I almost want them to miss it this year.

[KB3RG]

uneducated phillies fans will bitch if the phils dont get a big name back for abreu but people need to understand that dumping his salary is a great move...there is a good amount of strong free agent pitchers this offseason

Yup good point.

Anyone know who will be some of the free agent pitchers?

[mikeford]

another guy who cant hit a meaningful homerun

[thejetstolehome]

brandons probably laying dead in a pool of his own blood

oh def.

when my friend leaves, i'm gonna be shooting myself.

[Dirty Ernie]

this is a great deal for the phillies. Despite having some great young talent in Rollins, Utley and Howard ..they were a mess. Abreu and Bell were two big reasons why and now they are both gone.

If Gillick somehow moves Burrell, then he deserves Exec of the Year. They'll have so much money to spend on rebuilding around the 3 great young kids.

spot on...and they can focus on pitching this offseason

[mat1419]

i love this, shane victorino ftw
shane batting leadoff might double utley's rbi's next year.

[GoWaitInTheCar]

I don't think either team made the best possible move for themselves..

[justinevans]

uneducated phillies fans will bitch if the phils dont get a big name back for abreu but people need to understand that dumping his salary is a great move...there is a good amount of strong free agent pitchers this offseason

WHO DON'T WANT TO COME TO PHILLY BECAUSE OF THE BALL PARK. WHICH MEANS WE WILL HAVE TO OVERPAY AGAIN AND DUMP SALARY...AGAIN.

I DON'T MIND THE MOVE, BUT GET FUCKING SOME TALENT. NOT ANOTHER SHORT STOP.

[mat1419]

another guy who cant hit a meaningful homerun
bobby? maybe not, but he does hit clutch rbi's. he along with utley were the only two on our team who could hit with men on.

[Northstar1245]

this is a great deal for the phillies. Despite having some great young talent in Rollins, Utley and Howard ..they were a mess. Abreu and Bell were two big reasons why and now they are both gone.

If Gillick somehow moves Burrell, then he deserves Exec of the Year. They'll have so much money to spend on rebuilding around the 3 great young kids.

Not to mention Aaron Rowand and all the good young pitchers they have like Hammell, Floyd, and Myers. Myers will probably be the number one in the rotation next year. I doubt they will move Burrell this season, maybe in the offseason. But hopefully they can pick up a few young guys and a good third basemen for next year.

Rebuild Pat Gillick! Rebuild!

[Dirty Ernie]

another guy who cant hit a meaningful homerun

i think he went through something like the first 8-9 years of his career without ever hitting a homerun in the 8th or 9th inning when their was a 3 run differential in the score

[LeftWideOpen]

Yup good point.

Anyone know who will be some of the free agent pitchers?

Barry Zito, Jason Schmidt, Mike Mussina, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Adam Eaton, Mark Mulder, Jason Marquis, Ted Lilly, Andy Pettite, Gil Meche, Tony Armas Jr, Mark Redman, Vincente Padilla, among others.

[mikeford]

Daisuke Matsuzaka

is that the dude who throws the gyro ball?

[justinevans]

Not to mention Aaron Rowand and all the good young pitchers they have like Hammell, Floyd, and Myers. Myers will probably be the number one in the rotation next year. I doubt they will move Burrell this season, maybe in the offseason. But hopefully they can pick up a few young guys and a good third basemen for next year.

Rebuild Pat Gillick! Rebuild!

Hamels has been inconsistent. Lots of walks, but Myers had that problem. Gavin Floyd is terrible in the majors and the minors. He was a bust. Myers is good, but he is having a career year. I hope he can stay this way.

With regards to what Gillick needs to do. We need a good third baseman who can hit. Re-sign Delucci and also sign 2 non-aging pitchers, which we will have to overpay for because pitchers don't want to damage their ERA with our park. That is if the Phillies are actually going to spend the money they are saving. If history repeats itself, probably not. It is really hard to believe that the Phillies could not get any other prospects. Their whole organization is bad from top to bottom and they have become the laughing stock of baseball next to Tampa Bay and KC. If they are not aggressive, I will never be a Phillies franchise fan again. I will still root for Utley and Howard. I don't care anymore if it is my roots.

Secondly, what pisses me off is that I did not really like Abreu as a Phillie and now he is on my 2nd favorite team the yankees (probably soon to be my main team) Hopefully the Yankee tradition can make him take the stick out of his ass and hustle.

[justinevans]

Barry Zito, Jason Schmidt, Mike Mussina, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Adam Eaton, Mark Mulder, Jason Marquis, Ted Lilly, Andy Pettite, Gil Meche, Tony Armas Jr, Mark Redman, Vincente Padilla, among others.

Zito, Schmidt, and maybe Mulder are the only people I consider for the Phillies.

[justinevans]

this is a great deal for the phillies. Despite having some great young talent in Rollins, Utley and Howard ..they were a mess. Abreu and Bell were two big reasons why and now they are both gone.

If Gillick somehow moves Burrell, then he deserves Exec of the Year. They'll have so much money to spend on rebuilding around the 3 great young kids.

Burrell will only goto either new york team or Boston and neither team wants him. Thanks to Ed Wade, Pat Burrell has a full no-trade clause.

Also, I am pretty sure Rowand is a free-agent at the end of this year I could be wrong. The deal is great to move payroll, but if we were getting such shit talent in return Gillick should have made them take Lieber instead of Lidle.

[jaimej]

This makes me worry that the rumors of Sheff and Matsui coming back in Aug were just that...

[justinevans]

This makes me worry that the rumors of Sheff and Matsui coming back in Aug were just that...

Matsui yes, going for tests this week...Sheff probably not. If so, he'll DH anyway.

[mikeford]

oh also, i hope damon likes playing every OF position... cuz with abreu and matsui out there he's gonna have to pretty much cover the entire OF

[LeftWideOpen]

is that the dude who throws the gyro ball?

haha yeah ...he wants to come over. It's only a matter of whether or not his team lets him.

Zito, Schmidt, and maybe Mulder are the only people I consider for the Phillies.

Matsuzaka is better than any 3 of them, if the reports are true. He's like the Ichiro of Japanese pitchers.

[imirish06]

I love how no matter how much I wanted a player gone. Seeing them leaving is sad hahaha

[mikeford]

also, any yankee fan complaining about this deal is an idiot.

damon
jeter
arod
giambi
matsui
abreu
posada
cano
melky

if that lineup doesnt make you happy, youre on crack

oh by the way you gave up ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to get lidle and abreu

[Jesse2]

also, any yankee fan complaining about this deal is an idiot.

damon
jeter
arod
giambi
matsui
abreu
posada
cano
melky

if that lineup doesnt make you happy, youre on crack

oh by the way you gave up ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to get lidle and abreu

obviously depending on the minor league players the yankees gave up... it could be a pretty good deal. i'm definitely glad they didn't give up proctor.

i'm all for leaving melky in left, either abreu or matsui in rf (with the other at DH), and giambi at first.

[mikeford]

matsui will DH

he sucks in the OF anyway.

"In return, the Phillies will get four minor leaguers — Class A shortstop C.J. Henry, the Yankees' first pick in the 2005 draft, Class AAA left-hander Matt Smith, 27, and catcher Jesus Sanchez, 18, and right-hander Carlos Monasterios, 20, both of whom are with the Yankees' rookie ball affiliate in the Class A Gulf Coast League."

like i said, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

[Jesse2]

matsui will DH

he sucks in the OF anyway.


Matt Smith and CJ Henry and a player to be named later are the minor leaguers reported to have gone to Philly

like i said, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

yeah, i was just reading that. last i had heard they weren't mentioning names.

i can live with this deal. :)

[thejetstolehome]

yeah, i was just reading that. last i had heard they weren't mentioning names.

i can live with this deal. :)

me too. i just want another GOOD starter. lidle isn't any worse than our current 4-5 pitcers though.

[Jesse2]

me too. i just want another GOOD starter. lidle isn't any worse than our current 4-5 pitcers though.

as all of us yankees fans would, but that wouldn't be possible without trading everyone in the organization below the age of 24.

[thejetstolehome]

as all of us yankees fans would, but that wouldn't be possible without trading everyone in the organization below the age of 24.

right. and i definitely wouldn't want that.

[fire on my lips]

matsui will DH

he sucks in the OF anyway.

"In return, the Phillies will get four minor leaguers — Class A shortstop C.J. Henry, the Yankees' first pick in the 2005 draft, Class AAA left-hander Matt Smith, 27, and catcher Jesus Sanchez, 18, and right-hander Carlos Monasterios, 20, both of whom are with the Yankees' rookie ball affiliate in the Class A Gulf Coast League."

like i said, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
wow, good job by cashman then

where did you get that from?

[LeftWideOpen]

wow, good job by cashman then

where did you get that from?

eh, more like "good job, steinbrenner" for letting another huge salary on board.

this isnt a reaction to today's deal alone, but it couldn't be any clearer that the man most responsible for the Yankees success over the past 10 years has been Georgie, and not Cashman or Torre. Cashman, if anything, has significantly underachieved (a nice way of saying, bungled it). The Yankees are only where they are now because of the huge names and contracts George has allowed Cashman to take on. In my opinion, Cashman has done very little to improve the team that wasnt connected to the Yanks payroll growing significantly. This Abreu deal is another example.

I know working for Steinbrenner isnt the easiet job, but that shouldnt be any excuse. Cashman has the reputation that he does because his boss lets him spend recklessly. He's spent that money wisely in some cases, but not so wisely in others (hello Pavano and Wright). In the end though, all I've really seen out of him is that he can throw the most money at the biggest names or he can acquire those big names from a team that needs to cut payroll. I'm not that impressed.

That isnt meant to be a slight at the Yankees as a whole. What I'm saying is that a lot of guys could have done what Cashman has and a lot of guys could have done much better with the resources at their disposal. What are Yankees fans take on this?

[aloneatlastnj]

eh, more like "good job, steinbrenner" for letting another huge salary on board.

this isnt a reaction to today's deal alone, but it couldn't be any clearer that the man most responsible for the Yankees success over the past 10 years has been Georgie, and not Cashman or Torre. Cashman, if anything, has significantly underachieved (a nice way of saying, bungled it). The Yankees are only where they are now because of the huge names and contracts George has allowed Cashman to take on. In my opinion, Cashman has done very little to improve the team that wasnt connected to the Yanks payroll growing significantly. This Abreu deal is another example.

I know working for Steinbrenner isnt the easiet job, but that shouldnt be any excuse. Cashman has the reputation that he does because his boss lets him spend recklessly. He's spent that money wisely in some cases, but not so wisely in others (hello Pavano and Wright). In the end though, all I've really seen out of him is that he can throw the most money at the biggest names or he can acquire those big names from a team that needs to cut payroll. I'm not that impressed.

That isnt meant to be a slight at the Yankees as a whole. What I'm saying is that a lot of guys could have done what Cashman has and a lot of guys could have done much better with the resources at their disposal. What are Yankees fans take on this?



well, i was kind of against this just because of the names being thrown around being sent to philadelphia, and because what the team needs is a quality starter. now that we get another veteran bat and glove in abreu and a starter who's no worse than what we've already got for virtually NOTHING, i'm not that against it now. i'm just afraid of who will be moving around and what bernie's role will be now, sharing DH time with giambi..

[mikeford]

well he managed to give up absolute dick for abreu and lidle so theres something to say for that.

[ActorInThisPlay]

Barry Zito, Jason Schmidt, Mike Mussina, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Adam Eaton, Mark Mulder, Jason Marquis, Ted Lilly, Andy Pettite, Gil Meche, Tony Armas Jr, Mark Redman, Vincente Padilla, among others.
I hope Schmidt resigns with the Giants...

[NetNerdsRevenge]

How did the phillies make this trade without a top prospect? How did the yanks get away with what they gave? Are the Phils that strapped for cash that they couldn't subsidize his 16 million next year and option after that? Could they not have gotten other teams involved and picked up more mlb ready players?? Maybe they dont want to pay anything on Abreu and thats fine, but why get out of one bad contract to chase another over the offseason? The yanks also got Lidle to take over for Ponson. And while thats not great, how can you get any worse than Ponson?

The line-up is even more dangerous now with Abreu, but the pitching still sucks. The phils are free with money and load up on the prospects. albeit, not very strong prospects.

[mikeford]

if the yankees dont win the division now, its really pathetic.

[LeftWideOpen]

well he managed to give up absolute dick for abreu and lidle so theres something to say for that.

but george made that possible by allowing him to take on Abreu and Lidle's salaries. If the Yanks were only responsible for 50% and the Phils had to eat the other half, it would have been better prospects.

[leftstranded]

yankee fans are jumping around right now

[NetNerdsRevenge]

eh, more like "good job, steinbrenner" for letting another huge salary on board.
I think its pretty evident that the yanks do not operate with a payroll. besides, Sheff is a FA next year which opens 13 mil and Posada's contracts decreases to something like 4 million next year. Abreu is owed around 4 million this year and thats nothing to NY. They can certainly handle his contract.

[NetNerdsRevenge]

if the yankees dont win the division now, its really pathetic.
Abreu is a huge upgrade in right field, but offense wasnt that problem with the yankees. I would hope the Red Sox are going after someone as well. If the Red Sox have not acquired a impact player at the deadline I would say the Yankees are in good shape, but until then its the Sox turn to move.

btw, the sox got RHP Corey from Texas. Terrible vs. righties, but a .377 ops vs. lefties.

[Brownpants06]

so basically.... your payroll is still over 200 million

[justinevans]

haha yeah ...he wants to come over. It's only a matter of whether or not his team lets him.



Matsuzaka is better than any 3 of them, if the reports are true. He's like the Ichiro of Japanese pitchers.

so was irabu

[NetNerdsRevenge]

but does that really matter to NY?

EDIT: Response to brownpants

[justinevans]

The Phillies are simply dumping salary and they don't have to pay any of Abreu's contract. Abreu isn't the worst fielder, he just doesn't hustle, but it is hard to believe he won't be hustling in New York.

The Phillies are going to have 40 million dollars to spend next year after losing contracts of Bell, Lieberthal, Thome, Abreu, and hopefully Lieber which will add more.

Also, in other new Ryan Franklin has been designated for assignment.

What scares me is fuckbag Pat Gillick is talking about wanting to let players come up and that they will be 2-3 years before they make some noise? You've got to be kidding me. This organization's scouts are fucking terrible. Gavin Floyd and their other young pitchers are not taking them anywhere and none of them are an ace.

[Jesse2]

eh, more like "good job, steinbrenner" for letting another huge salary on board.

this isnt a reaction to today's deal alone, but it couldn't be any clearer that the man most responsible for the Yankees success over the past 10 years has been Georgie, and not Cashman or Torre. Cashman, if anything, has significantly underachieved (a nice way of saying, bungled it). The Yankees are only where they are now because of the huge names and contracts George has allowed Cashman to take on. In my opinion, Cashman has done very little to improve the team that wasnt connected to the Yanks payroll growing significantly. This Abreu deal is another example.

I know working for Steinbrenner isnt the easiet job, but that shouldnt be any excuse. Cashman has the reputation that he does because his boss lets him spend recklessly. He's spent that money wisely in some cases, but not so wisely in others (hello Pavano and Wright). In the end though, all I've really seen out of him is that he can throw the most money at the biggest names or he can acquire those big names from a team that needs to cut payroll. I'm not that impressed.

That isnt meant to be a slight at the Yankees as a whole. What I'm saying is that a lot of guys could have done what Cashman has and a lot of guys could have done much better with the resources at their disposal. What are Yankees fans take on this?

i agree with the majority of that, but i think you have to give torre credit. a lot of people will say "well who COULDN'T win with those players?!", but i think he's done a really good job (especially this year with all the injuries and lame-o pitchers). i could care less about cashman, but every year that they don't win the WS i hate the "fire torre" talks.

[justinevans]

and the yankees do not care about $$ because they make the money to do so.

[LeftWideOpen]

i agree with the majority of that, but i think you have to give torre credit. a lot of people will say "well who COULDN'T win with those players?!", but i think he's done a really good job (especially this year with all the injuries and lame-o pitchers). i could care less about cashman, but every year that they don't win the WS i hate the "fire torre" talks.

I agree about Torre. He makes some questionable calls w/ the bullpen, but they only turn out questionable because he doesnt have many arms in there to rely on (besides mo, of course). francona gets just as much crap for the same reasons ..although hes gotten better lately, now that hes finally given up on seanez in critical moments.

and the yankees do not care about $$ because they make the money to do so.

right ..i'm not taking issue with the Yankees payroll. I'm saying thats the ultimate reason for their success and Cashman hasn't come close to maximizing the potential a payroll like that brings.

[justinevans]

I agree about Torre. He makes some questionable calls w/ the bullpen, but they only turn out questionable because he doesnt have many arms in there to rely on (besides mo, of course). francona gets just as much crap for the same reasons ..although hes gotten better lately, now that hes finally given up on seanez in critical moments.



right ..i'm not taking issue with the Yankees payroll. I'm saying thats the ultimate reason for their success and Cashman hasn't come close to maximizing the potential a payroll like that brings.

Cashman isn't a very good GM. They have a high payroll because he values players highly.

I think it has been the ultimate reason for their non-success. If you look at when they did win, they didn't normally have the highest payroll, atleast in the 90s. I think they did in 1 or 2 of the years they won. And the players who were clutch for them were not the high paid players.

Also, from what I've heard Abreu's option has not been picked up yet either. He lives in NY in the off-season anyway so it is probably a better situation for him.

[xbrokendownx]

fuck this. fuck bobby abreu

and FUCK corey lidle, i hate him EVEN MORE than abreu, if thats possible


at least we didnt give up anything really

[NetNerdsRevenge]

The Phillies are going to have 40 million dollars to spend next year after losing contracts of Bell, Lieberthal, Thome, Abreu, and hopefully Lieber which will add more.
This is all nice a dandy if they can spend it right. If the phillies are sellers why not try and dump more contracts for marginal prospects and cash? 40 million is not going to go far in the FA market unless they spend it very wisely so acquiring as many prospects as they can may help them over the offseaon to trade for mlb talent.

What scares me is fuckbag Pat Gillick is talking about wanting to let players come up and that they will be 2-3 years before they make some noise? You've got to be kidding me.
The phillies cannot win right now. Ed Wade fucked the team so bad that it'll be more than a year for Gillick to correct the problem. For the phillies to sustain winning levels year in and year out, it'll take a farm system rich in prospects.

[NetNerdsRevenge]

Cashman isn't a very good GM. They have a high payroll because he values players highly.
are you serious? I value Manny, but not to the tune of 20 million. Cashman should of gone to another team to see if he could actually be a GM. Operating with the highest payroll and an owner who wants the highest contract is not very fun,

[justinevans]

This is all nice a dandy if they can spend it right. If the phillies are sellers why not try and dump more contracts for marginal prospects and cash? 40 million is not going to go far in the FA market unless they spend it very wisely so acquiring as many prospects as they can may help them over the offseaon to trade for mlb talent.


The phillies cannot win right now. Ed Wade fucked the team so bad that it'll be more than a year for Gillick to correct the problem. For the phillies to sustain winning levels year in and year out, it'll take a farm system rich in prospects.

I agree, but you can sign people too when you dumped 40$ million this year in salaries and they are not acquiring and mlb-ready prospects. An 18 yr old ss when we just drafted 2 and we have Rollins for 5 more years at least. Their scouts suck so I would not even waste the time on prospects especially when their pitching prospects are terrible. The entire organization is terrible and they have to do something because Philly is getting very restless with the franchise and their great new stadium is not going to fill the seats alone anymore. You don't dump salary for nothing if you're not going to spend it. They need a 3b cause they have no one in the system. They also need catching and 2 pitchers and entire new bullpen.

[justinevans]

are you serious? I value Manny, but not to the tune of 20 million. Cashman should of gone to another team to see if he could actually be a GM. Operating with the highest payroll and an owner who wants the highest contract is not very fun,

Like I said they value players too high and that is why their payroll is so high. They value players that they re-sign far too high. There should not be 8 players making more $$ than Sheffield. The only pitcher deserving of more than 15 million is Rivera and he's a closer. Cashman needs to realize that if their market is high that they should not go after the player.

Also, their payroll is high because of trades with other teams where they paid players to high and the yankees are the only team willing the pay. A few years ago Abreu would have brought in alot of prospects, but the yankees are getting a little smarter and realize their team is aging and they need a farm system.

[justinevans]

The Yankees get a big OBP boost and the best fifth starter they've had all year, and they did it by using money (of which they have a lot) instead of prospects (of which they have few once you exclude Philip Hughes and Jose Tabata). The Phillies, meanwhile, get some salary relief for 2007, but not much else.
Bobby Abreu may or may not have lost his power -- I think it's overblown, as he's still on pace for 40-plus doubles and doesn't look like he's lost bat speed or raw strength  but he's still one of the best offensive players in the game. He's about to post his eighth straight 100-walk season and has the fifth-best OBP in the game. The Yankees have been running a Bernie Williams/Aaron Guiel platoon out in left, and while Guiel has hit a few homers since he came to the Bronx, he's still a four-A player who has no place on a contending club's roster. Even if Abreu's home run total remains low, he's worth two extra wins to the Yankees if he takes at-bats away from Bernie and Guiel, and more if his home-run power comes back.

Cory Lidle is a finesse right-hander with excellent control who will probably struggle to be a league-average starter in the American League at this point, but he is an enormous improvement over the Sidney Ponson, Kris Wilson and Dave Eiland -- whom the Yanks have employed as fifth starters this year. Lidle's best pitch is a splitter, but his fastball is a tick below average so he has to have good command to be effective and keep the ball out of the seats. Since the guys he's replacing have been so bad, he's still a one-to-two-win upgrade for the balance of the season, making this one of the biggest impact deals any club will make this month.

The Phillies finally came off their demands for top prospects and instead chose to dump the two contracts, saving $18 million in 2007 by moving Abreu. The only player they acquired with any sort of major-league value right now is lefty specialist Matt Smith, a 27-year-old veteran of the Yankee farm system.

The Phils did acquire some interesting prospects. Shortstop C.J. Henry is best known as the guy the Yankees took in the 2005 draft even though right-handed pitcher Craig Hansen was still available. Henry is a raw five-tool talent and still just 19 years old. His swing is long, but he generates plus power and is a good baserunner with well-above-average speed. He has struggled in the South Atlantic League this year across the board. Though he has the physical tools to stay at short, it remains to be seen how his body develops and whether he outgrows the position. The Phillies also acquired two players from the Yankees' Gulf Coast League affiliate, athletic catcher Jesus Sanchez and hard-throwing right-hander Carlos Monasterios, both of whom are so far away that they're more pre-prospects than prospects.

So the three minor-league players the Phils acquired aren't going to help the big-league club until at least 2009 or 2010, and none is good enough to be the centerpiece for a subsequent deal. As a result, the Phillies haven't done anything to improve their club for 2007 except add financial flexibility, but with a thin free-agent market this winter, it's not clear that they'll have superior outlets for spending that money.

[bigmike]

Barry Zito, Jason Schmidt, Mike Mussina, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Adam Eaton, Mark Mulder, Jason Marquis, Ted Lilly, Andy Pettite, Gil Meche, Tony Armas Jr, Mark Redman, Vincente Padilla, among others.
...that's a pretty shitty list. a bunch of mediocre pitchers, 2 with a lot to prove after this season (mulder's shoulder, pettitte), and a few good pitchers.

[fcknazisympathy]

...that's a pretty shitty list. a bunch of mediocre pitchers, 2 with a lot to prove after this season (mulder's shoulder, pettitte), and a few good pitchers.
im sure you arent calling all star mark redman mediocre

[The Matt Kaufman]

I didnt read everyones thoughts but my thoughts are that the yankees basically got the two best players on the phillies for nothing (we'll see what develops) and if anything the phillies should of demanded hughes. Hopefully lidle and abreu will be a bobby bonilla and a jeff weaver

[fcknazisympathy]

I didnt read everyones thoughts but my thoughts are that the yankees basically got the two best players on the phillies for nothing (we'll see what develops) and if anything the phillies should of demanded hughes. Hopefully lidle and abreu will be a bobby bonilla and a jeff weaver

only reason yankees did that is because they gave up jack shit for abreu

[justinevans]

I didnt read everyones thoughts but my thoughts are that the yankees basically got the two best players on the phillies for nothing (we'll see what develops) and if anything the phillies should of demanded hughes. Hopefully lidle and abreu will be a bobby bonilla and a jeff weaver

nope. 2 best players on the Phillies? do you watch baseball.

Utley, Howard, Myers are their best players. Come on man, don't be that dumb.

[xbrokendownx]

if you think corey lidle was the phillies best pitcher you must be high

[justinevans]

if you think corey lidle was the phillies best pitcher you must be high

or brain dead.

[The Matt Kaufman]

woops lol you guys caught me..my bad..ok 2 pretty decent players who are the best tradable players (minus howard utley etc) for almost nothing..sorry bout that..brainfart

[Dirty Ernie]

This is all nice a dandy if they can spend it right. If the phillies are sellers why not try and dump more contracts for marginal prospects and cash? 40 million is not going to go far in the FA market unless they spend it very wisely so acquiring as many prospects as they can may help them over the offseaon to trade for mlb talent.

i think they are still trying to move people, cormier and rhodes are almost certain to go, while burrell or lieber would be bonus, and i wouldn't mind if they got rid of gordon at this point

AT LEAST 40 million to spend in one offseason is a ton, thats almost 3 outrageous contracts like abreu's


The phillies cannot win right now. Ed Wade fucked the team so bad that it'll be more than a year for Gillick to correct the problem. For the phillies to sustain winning levels year in and year out, it'll take a farm system rich in prospects.


they have the core and the financial flexibilty now to contend for a playoff spot next year...don't get me wrong, a lot still has to happen and this will be a completely different team next year, but they are taking the right steps....they need a catcher or third baseman, but offense isnt the problem, and they have the money to go get probably two above average pitchers

[xbrokendownx]

ed wade's daughter is fucking blazing hot

[Dirty Ernie]

ed wade's daughter is fucking blazing hot

pics? he fucked this team eight ways to sunday

[justinevans]

woops lol you guys caught me..my bad..ok 2 pretty decent players who are the best tradable players (minus howard utley etc) for almost nothing..sorry bout that..brainfart

the thing was that they are not paying any of Abreu's salary. Lidle was going to be a FA anyway, so might as well trade him. Can always re-sign him. There was no way they were giving up Hughes and paying all of Abreu's salary.

[justinevans]

i think they are still trying to move people, cormier and rhodes are almost certain to go, while burrell or lieber would be bonus, and i wouldn't mind if they got rid of gordon at this point

AT LEAST 40 million to spend in one offseason is a ton, thats almost 3 outrageous contracts like abreu's





they have the core and the financial flexibilty now to contend for a playoff spot next year...don't get me wrong, a lot still has to happen and this will be a completely different team next year, but they are taking the right steps....they need a catcher or third baseman, but offense isnt the problem, and they have the money to go get probably two above average pitchers

Gillick said they are waiting for minor league players to come up.

[Dirty Ernie]

the thing was that they are not paying any of Abreu's salary. Lidle was going to be a FA anyway, so might as well trade him. Can always re-sign him. There was no way they were giving up Hughes and paying all of Abreu's salary.

we won't really know how well this trade works for the phillies until after next offseason, when they should spend abreu's money on pitching

[xbrokendownx]

pics? he fucked this team eight ways to sunday






ahh she mustve taken down her facebook account cuz i cant find her


she just graduated Nova this past year- she was a manager for the bball team

[Dirty Ernie]

Gillick said they are waiting for minor league players to come up.

myers, hamels, gonzalez, and mathieson will make a sick homegrown rotation if not next year, then the following year

[justinevans]

we won't really know how well this trade works for the phillies until after next offseason, when they should spend abreu's money on pitching

they're is alot of people that need to be removed from the coaching staff and management too.

[xbrokendownx]

bobby abreu's yankee debut will be on my birthday :)

[fcknazisympathy]

is lidel also gonna start tuesday?

[justinevans]

bobby abreu's yankee debut will be on my birthday :)

smiling when you don't want him?

[xbrokendownx]

smiling when you don't want him?





ive calmed down a bit.


i mean, we gave up shit to get him, and hes an upgrade over aaron guiel and bernie (as much as a i love bernie, hes pretty much finished)

i still hate lidle though

[NetNerdsRevenge]

Like I said they value players too high and that is why their payroll is so high. They value players that they re-sign far too high. There should not be 8 players making more $$ than Sheffield. The only pitcher deserving of more than 15 million is Rivera and he's a closer. Cashman needs to realize that if their market is high that they should not go after the player.

Also, their payroll is high because of trades with other teams where they paid players to high and the yankees are the only team willing the pay. A few years ago Abreu would have brought in alot of prospects, but the yankees are getting a little smarter and realize their team is aging and they need a farm system.
EDIT: Totally just kidding. I misread your first comment from the start. we agree Cashman is not a good gm.

[kshtoinks12]

meh

[justinevans]

meh

mew what?

[NetNerdsRevenge]

they have the core and the financial flexibilty now to contend for a playoff spot next year...don't get me wrong, a lot still has to happen and this will be a completely different team next year, but they are taking the right steps....they need a catcher or third baseman, but offense isnt the problem, and they have the money to go get probably two above average pitchers
If it were me, I would stay as far away from the FA market as I could. The price is too high when the Phils should direct it toward their farm system and acquiring young mlb talent. Going after FA to win now would not help them develop players in the minors.....not unless the Phils decide to open to checkbook.

[justinevans]

If it were me, I would stay as far away from the FA market as I could. The price is too high when the Phils should direct it toward their farm system and acquiring young mlb talent. Going after FA to win now would not help them develop players in the minors.....not unless the Phils decide to open to checkbook.

The phils payroll will be close to 60,000,000 it was was in the upper 80s to lower 90s the past few years.

They need pitching and they need some form of a veteran ace. Myers is a great #2 starter. He is not an ace.

[kshtoinks12]

mew what?I don't like the idea of him on the yanks meh.

[Branevember31]

abreu fucking sucks...we just got another big name bust

[justinevans]

I don't like the idea of him on the yanks meh.

why?

[Drew Beringer]

Still don't think the Yankees will make the playoffs.

[justinevans]

abreu fucking sucks...we just got another big name bust

how do you figure?

[justinevans]

Still don't think the Yankees will make the playoffs.

I think they will moreso because of Lidle as the 5th starter than abreu in RF

[bigmike]

The phils payroll will be close to 60,000,000 it was was in the upper 80s to lower 90s the past few years.

They need pitching and they need some form of a veteran ace. Myers is a great #2 starter. He is not an ace.
who are you going to get? outside of Mussina, Zito, and Schmidt i don't see an "ace" out there in the FA market.

unless of course you want to grab that all-star Mark Redman. No one else could solidify a rotation like that.

[kshtoinks12]

why?his numbers this year are dissapointing, I'd much rather have an average hitter with a lower contract. If this was alexis rios i'd cry in happiness.

[NetNerdsRevenge]

The phils payroll will be close to 60,000,000 it was was in the upper 80s to lower 90s the past few years.

They need pitching and they need some form of a veteran ace. Myers is a great #2 starter. He is not an ace.
A veteran ace pitcher is going to cost money. Again, if this team wants to win (that mean battle the Mets and Braves in the east) they'll have to spend money. Gillick is right when he says the farm needs to be rebuilt.

[mikeford]

Still don't think the Yankees will make the playoffs.

are you huffing glade?

[leftstranded]

i'm just going to come out and say it. fuck the yankees

[xbrokendownx]

ahhh i love all the yankee hate :)

[justinevans]

who are you going to get? outside of Mussina, Zito, and Schmidt i don't see an "ace" out there in the FA market.

unless of course you want to grab that all-star Mark Redman. No one else could solidify a rotation like that.

sadly, they'll have to overpay for Zito

[justinevans]

A veteran ace pitcher is going to cost money. Again, if this team wants to win (that mean battle the Mets and Braves in the east) they'll have to spend money. Gillick is right when he says the farm needs to be rebuilt.

yes I know that...but there is no one with ace potential. Myers has good stuff, but he is not intimidating.

[justinevans]

his numbers this year are dissapointing, I'd much rather have an average hitter with a lower contract. If this was alexis rios i'd cry in happiness.

you'll llike him in 2 weeks.

[xbrokendownx]

mussina is gonna re-sign with the yankees

[NetNerdsRevenge]

yes I know that...but there is no one with ace potential. Myers has good stuff, but he is not intimidating.
exactly why the Phils need to hold steady. It sucks, but going out now and overpaying for an ace only puts them back into high contract situations. The ace they need is not a veteran, but a young guy. The Phillies do not need old players right now and Gillick understands that.

[fcknazisympathy]

mussina is gonna re-sign with the yankees

and zito, possibly schmidt will be yankees as well

[xbrokendownx]

and zito, possibly schmidt will be yankees as well






no.

[justinevans]

exactly why the Phils need to hold steady. It sucks, but going out now and overpaying for an ace only puts them back into high contract situations. The ace they need is not a veteran, but a young guy. The Phillies do not need old players right now and Gillick understands that.

ZITO

[fcknazisympathy]

no.

no to who zito or schmidt?

[xbrokendownx]

no to who zito or schmidt?






we wont sign either of them i dont think, let alone both.

[justinevans]

no to who zito or schmidt?

both.

[fcknazisympathy]

we wont sign either of them i dont think, let alone both.

why dont you think we'll get zito? we need pitching BADLY

what starting pitching do you think we are gonna get then?

[xbrokendownx]

im not saying i wouldnt want zito, im just saying i dont think were going to get him. theres a difference

[justinevans]

why dont you think we'll get zito? we need pitching BADLY

what starting pitching do you think we are gonna get then?

they are stuck with pavano and johnson unless they designate them for assignment.

so wang, pavano, johnson, mussina if they resign him and maybe still wright.

[fcknazisympathy]

im not saying i wouldnt want zito, im just saying i dont think were going to get him. theres a difference


then who do you think we are gonna get starting pitching wise?

[justinevans]

then who do you think we are gonna get starting pitching wise?

I think they'll go more for the bullpen...the yankees starting pitcher ERA is fairly low.

[NetNerdsRevenge]

ZITO
Zito will get lit up in Philly and require a shit ton of money.

[justinevans]

Zito will get lit up in Philly and require a shit ton of money.

maybe, I see him going to an NL team if not staying with the A's. AL pitchers to the NL normally drop their ERA a half a run.

[NetNerdsRevenge]

maybe, I see him going to an NL team if not staying with the A's. AL pitchers to the NL normally drop their ERA a half a run.
EDIT: im not sure what im talking about with the power thing. However, I still dont think they land him. It'll cost a lot.


good point with Zito....just gotta find the money.

[justinevans]

Hitters park with relatively high hr/f numbers. im skeptical.

the #s have gone down.

[mikeford]

why wouldnt the yankees sign zito? brokendown, stop sniffing model airplane glue. its not like steinbrenner is suddenly gonna go "wow our payroll is way too much maybe i better not spend for this guy"

[xbrokendownx]

why wouldnt the yankees sign zito? brokendown, stop sniffing model airplane glue. its not like steinbrenner is suddenly gonna go "wow our payroll is way too much maybe i better not spend for this guy"





we havent signed a good reliable starter in awhile, thats why i said that

[fcknazisympathy]

why wouldnt the yankees sign zito? brokendown, stop sniffing model airplane glue. its not like steinbrenner is suddenly gonna go "wow our payroll is way too much maybe i better not spend for this guy"

i lol'd at model airplane glue

[LeftWideOpen]

we havent signed a good reliable starter in awhile, thats why i said that

you've tried too though ...cashman has just whiffed. They'll make a big pitch at Zito.

[mikeford]

they've made a run at every top free agent pitcher for the last 3 years

pavano just blew dick and burnett got more money from the bluegays.

[fcknazisympathy]

you've tried too though ...cashman has just whiffed. They'll make a big pitch at Zito.

only proven starter weve signed in awhile is johnson

vazquez, wright, pavano all had 1 good year but have sucked the rest

[xbrokendownx]

we didnt sign johnson or vazquez, we traded for them

[fcknazisympathy]

we didnt sign johnson or vazquez, we traded for them

same thing

[LeftWideOpen]

only proven starter weve signed in awhile is johnson

vazquez, wright, pavano all had 1 good year but have sucked the rest

right, but they all had expectations and pricetags similar to, or in wright's case, just below zito's. There's no reason to think they wont throw all the money they can at him ..only question is whether or not its more than the Mets are going to throw.

[jpgretzky15]

Good we really needed another average hitter and pitcher. Matsui and Cano will be back this month. They've been too stupid to fix this pitching situation for a few years now. I regained some faith in the team with the "second string" players stepping up to win games, but then they make moves like this that will do next to nothing in trying to score a playoff spot. I almost want them to miss it this year.

Lidle may be an average pitcher, but he is better than sidney ponson. abreu is well, WELL above average as a hitter. There is a reason he is drafted in the 1st or second round every year in fantasy. He does it all...hits for average, walks, hits homers (although not so far this year) has a great arm...yeah he is the best all around outfielder the yankees have, including the injured matsui and sheffield. he is one of the best all around players in baseball. he is a major upgrade. i am a yankees fan, and while i cant love the image we have of taking on all the star players, seriously, this guy is good. and he will make a nice addition to the pinstripes. then we can let sheffield go this offseason and never have to deal with his dumb pranks again.

[fcknazisympathy]

right, but they all had expectations and pricetags similar to, or in wright's case, just below zito's. There's no reason to think they wont throw all the money they can at him ..only question is whether or not its more than the Mets are going to throw.

im surprised theyve let minaya spend that much

i do think cashman will make a huge offer to zito

[jpgretzky15]

and yankees fans being upset? doesnt seem like it. http://forums.nyyfans.com/showthread.php?t=97560

[fcknazisympathy]

and yankees fans being upset? doesnt seem like it. http://forums.nyyfans.com/showthread.php?t=97560

who said that we were upset over abreu?

[justinevans]

we didnt sign johnson or vazquez, we traded for them

they signed johnson to an extension. It was more like a sign and trade.

[xbrokendownx]

they signed johnson to an extension. It was more like a sign and trade.






it was just a one year extension, for next year ( i think)

[jpgretzky15]

who said that we were upset over abreu?

first page said something about yankees fans hanging themselves

[xbrokendownx]

first page said something about yankees fans hanging themselves





yeah that was me.


i didnt like the rumors, but we got him for nothing so i cant be mad. we didnt give up proctor, hughes, OR duncan. we are abetter team than we were yesterday

[fcknazisympathy]

first page said something about yankees fans hanging themselves

it was one person lol

[justinevans]

they signed johnson to an extension. It was more like a sign and trade.

this year also. Last year was the final year of his Arizona contract.

[xbrokendownx]

found some of erin wade's pics:

http://photos-775.ak.facebook.com/ip007/v28/123/16/6101828/n6101828_30368775_7565.jpg

her and 2006-2007 NCAA mens player of the year, curtis sumpter

[NetNerdsRevenge]

shes not that hot...

[Broken Parachute]

so, is sheffield done for the year? because theres only 3 OF spots and 4 fat contracts: Damon, Matsui, Abreu and Sheffield.

If the plan is to DH one of them and have Giambi play 1B, then have fun with that defense.
Well, Abreu just took all of the money from Sheffield's option this off season. Bye bye Sheff.

[aloneatlastnj]

Well, Abreu just took all of the money from Sheffield's option this off season. Bye bye Sheff.

and thank god. i loved the spark he gave, but this season has been a joke. making 13 million to just sit on the bench for a few months, come back and hurt the injury further, and spend even more time on the bench. so much for contract year pressure.

[Broken Parachute]

and thank god. i loved the spark he gave, but this season has been a joke. making 13 million to just sit on the bench for a few months, come back and hurt the injury further, and spend even more time on the bench. so much for contract year pressure.
Sheffield is so annoying, you're so much better off with Abreu and his huge OBP.

[xearlynovemberx]

found some of erin wade's pics:

http://photos-775.ak.facebook.com/ip007/v28/123/16/6101828/n6101828_30368775_7565.jpg

her and 2006-2007 NCAA mens player of the year, curtis sumpter

with that money he can do better

[xbrokendownx]

with that money he can do better





haha he doesnt have any money















....yet