Great line: "These dudes are the sort that think 'Entourage' is about them . . . ."

Anyhow, saw this nicely-written barber-shop/music column in the Post and thought of you. http://tinyurl.com/fr6uv

Yikes. I think you're missing a close bracket somewhere...

Whether Abreu to the Bronx is good news depends on what we give up for him. If it's Melky, Proctor, Clippard, and Duncan, as several sources reported, it ain't worth it.

Great, highly expressive, line: "These dudes are the sort that think 'Entourage' is all about them . . ."

Meanwhile, saw this nicely-written barbershop/music column in the Wash Post and thought you'd appreciate. http://tinyurl.com/fr6uv

Sorry about that double comment. Obviously, I thought I was still editing . . .

Actually, we're only a game and a half behind the Red Sox.

Jayson Stark is reporting:

Abreu + Lidle for CJ Henry + Steven White

No word on money considerations...including picking up Abreu's 2008 year in order for him to waive his No-trade clause.

I can kind of sort of live with it I suppose. 2008 will probably be a difficult year for us if we have to pick up the option...lots and lots of old players with very little flexibility.

Some sources are reporting that Abreu has agreed to waive his no-trade without his 2008 option being picked up...but only for the Yankees.

6, 7 That's not a bad deal, if that's really all prospect and no need to pick up the option...I could definitely live with that.

6 I could definitely live with that. Henry's a long shot at this point given his first year in pro ball, and White hasn't exactly been tearing up AAA hitting. It'd be insane to give up Melky or Clippard or Duncan tho.

Geez, Louise!!! I could have told you those meatballs were from LI. I'm also willing to bet they left in a snow white Cadillac Escalade with rotating chrome rims and a thumpin' sound system sporting the worst that rap music currently has to offer. As if the actual game wasn't bad enough, you had to endure all the class impicit in a crew of Gambino wannabes.

My sincere condolences, Alex.

As for trade rumors, despite Abreu's impressive offensive numbers, I'm left uninspired by the Yanks propensity toward absorbing overpaid/on-the-other-side-of-the-hill MLB talent. I was/am hoping for a little more creativity from Cashman. Every time I here about their willingness to court these veteran OF'ers I can't help but wonder why they were so disinterested in forking over big cash to Beltran.

White and Henry! That's a great deal for the Yankees -- not painful at all.

I think that CJ Henry was a bad pick and it's very smart to cut bait while he still has value. I bet that he never sees the majors.

So if it is Abreu, I guess that means Sheff's option isn't picked up. Unless he's the DH and Giambi is at 1B full time.

We are only 1 1/2 games back of Boston.

As long as the Yankees are stuck with tons of salary, I think the trade is okay. Abreu isn't going to struggle forever and he is better than what the Yankees are producing in the outfield right now.

One has to wonder if this is a 2006 move (Abreu) or a 2007 and 'life without Sheffield' move. After all, Matsui is coming back and with Abreu in RF this leaves Melky as the odd man out (and Bernie/Guiel completely off the map). I kinda liked Guiel's 'spunk' - he got some big hits here & there, and had a nice little arm out there (remember the Thome play?) for when we needed it.

This deal almost has a 'Cecil Fielder/96' feel to it, but then again we didn't have a just-barely-below-$200 million payroll in 1996. It also pushes too many hard-working bit players off the radar, and that's the part that doesn't feel quite so right to me...

Sheff's option won't get picked up, whether or not we get Abreu.

13 I meant to say "not stuck."

I think Abreu may well struggle forever, or at least never again be the player he was.

As Peter Abraham pointed out, power numbers from before steroids testing are meaningless now.

And there is a serious talent gap between the AL and NL. The AL spanked the NL in interleague play. They've won all but one of the All-Star games. They've swept the last two World Series.

Soriano is having a career year...after moving from a hitter's park in the AL to a pitcher's park in the NL.

J. Damon cf
D. Jeter ss
J. Giambi dh
A. Rodriguez 3b
J. Posada c
A. Guiel rf
A. Phillips 1b
M. Cabrera lf
M. Cairo 2b

Guiel in RF. Will wonders never cease...

YES doesn't think the Abreu deal will happen.

Not least because the Yanks are playing so well with what they have.

I really don't know what to make of this possible Abreu trade. It really depends on what the Yankees give up I guess.

I'll tell you what though, if the Mets can get Zito for Milledge and don't do it...I think they're fools.

FWIW...Abreu is in the lineup for the Phillies game today.

Actually I'd even take Lidle if we can get him for a song - he's been on a good roll lately..

18 What's wrong with Guiel in RF? He's the lefty in the platoon, and there's a righty on the mound. Or were you just hoping to see Abreu/Wilson/Soriano/Mel Hall there instead?

Walking Baldelli is just bad. He has the plate discipline of a wild squirrel hyped up on Cocaine and Red Bull.

23 I was expressing my shock at not seeing Bernie there.

I like Guiel in RF. Heck, I like anyone but Bernie in RF. I wish Joe would platoon him with Guiel, but, as Joe said yesterday, "It's not a strict platoon." (Translation: it's Bernie, unless he needs a rest.)

23 I think he means that Torre is actually NOT playing Williams, a surprisingly rare occurrence. There is nothing wrong with Guile in right.

Shields: 5.46 ERA. Score 10 runs here now.

Have the Yankees faced Shields, or are we in for a case of URPs?

23 I like Guiel too. He's got some grit.

El Capitan with the Batting Average.

Jeter is en fuego these days.

18 gotcha, i hadn't turned my sarcasm meter back on before logging onto the banter :)

i like Guiel too, especially his murdering of righties as advertised. just like Mel Hall.

Go A-Rod

21 Abreu was just pulled from the lineup.

34 Meh, I won't miss Henry or White. But if Duncan and his incredible OPS+ in AA was traded, Grrr.

34 Interesting...

28 According to Kaat, this is the first time the Yanks have seen Shields... which is not good.

37 That was displayed by Giambi and A-Rod looking foolish. Those two seriously have to start hitting consistently, and not the once a week display of greatness they're currently giving us.

38 Well said...

Does anyone think there may be something wrong with Damon's eyes? He's been going the wrong way, overrunning, and flat out missing a lot of balls lately. And he waved off Melky from 50 yards away.

Abreu was a late scratch in the phillies game. Hmmmm.

41 interesting

41 Yeah, hopefully it's a hamstring ;-)

So the fact that Melky is still in left field and hasn't been removed means that either Abreu isn't coming to the Yankees, or that the trade is of the White+Henry variety, which is fine by me.

Andy needs to go.

What a surprise, a douchebag with an astronomical ERA mowing down our line-up.

44 If Melky somehow ends up in an Abreu trade, I propose an armed assault on the front office...

44 We'll have to see if Proctor pitches today...

Has Abreu every played first base?

45 We have no one to replace him with. Pena is putting up miserable stats in AAA.

46 A little respect here, please, that's Cy Young's grandson ;-)

Jorge, some times you just have to eat the bunt.

49 That would be a nice solution...and with a healthy Cano...

1)Damon - CF
2)Jeter - SS
3)Abreu - 1B
4)A-Rod - 3B
5)Giambi - DH
6)Posada - C
7)Cano - 2B
8)Melky - LF
9)Guiel/Bernie/Whatever - RF

47 I'll fly in from San Francisco for the raid.

And we STILL can't get Tomas Perez out. He has SIX CONSECUTIVE hits against us with FOUR DOUBLES. His Batting average has gone up nearly 30 points and his OPS has gone up 80 points.

We have problems against players with the Perez name.

Cant celebrate yet. Crawford still up

Well, a lot of Phillies fans seem to think Abreu is going to Boston, not NY.

Mooooooose!

Crawford gets BITCH-smacked!

Now we can celebrate.

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE

Buster Olney just reported that the Yankees have reached a tentative deal with the Phillies for Abreu. Unfortunately I was watching the game on my computer at the same time and I missed who the Yankees would give up. Olney said the next phase is the Yankees negotiating with Abreu, trying to work out what would make him drop his no-trade clause.

53 I think Giambi would stay in the three hole. They'd probably bat Abreu fifth.

49, 53 Abreu has never played 1B in the majors. He's been in RF the whole time, with the exception of a combined 30 games in CF and RF.

Phillies board is reporting it's Delcarmen and two minor leaguers for Abreu.

Carl Crawford is a very over-rated player.

Crawford 12 RCAA this year
Abreu 16 RCAA this year

From baseball reference, fielding stats show no 1B games for Abreu, just OF.

Yes, Cairo!

According to ESPN News, the Yanks have reached a tentative deal for Abreu.

63 I'd switch those two. Abreu generally hits for a higher average and also has a higher OBP. And that way, A-Rod and Giambi will always have runners on. But again, that's if we trade for him...

65 Damn It.

50.832 OPS Not good, but certainly not as bad as Andy.

One of the things that still infuriates me is that we didn't even look at Frank Thomas because we had the great Andy Phillips.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2534459

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.

Nice hit, JD. Let's go, Jeet!

Jeter!!!!

Alright, CAP!!!!

Jeter is so clutch...

Every time I do it I do it for my hood
And every time I do it I do it for yo hood
And every time I do it I do it for they hood
It's understood I do it for the hood

En Fuego indeed. Nice slide by Damon there....

Corey Lidle?

INTENTIONALLY WALKING GIAMBI to pitch to A-ROD.

Fun news: Every news source is saying that the Phillies have backed off their demands of Hughes and Tabata.

More fun news: Clippard is starting for the Thunder and Duncan is in the lineup. The game has already started.

Why isn't there more talk about MVP status for Jeter? He's red hot. Has been Yanks most consistent hitter all year.

YES mentioned the ESPN report, but said they couldn't confirm it. (Didn't ESPN report that Sammy Sosa was headed for the Bronx?)

I don't think the Sox even want Abreu. They just don't want us to get him.

82 HRs. He's low even for him.

Wow. That was a TOTAL slap in A-Rod's face.

I mean this in the least offensive way possible, but is this pitcher throwing limp-wristed?

84 What about his other offensive numbers?

85 easy there.. i think it was also a righty-lefty avoid thing + set-up the dbl play thing

85 But a lot of teams have been doing it lately. :-P

And now both A-Rod and Jorge look like minor leaguers against a horrible pitcher.

89 They have, and it's been working, which is really sad.

ESPN News says its Abreu/Lidle for Henry, Matt Smith, and PTBNL

CJ Henry & Matt Smith, plus PTBNL
for Abreu & Lidle

Why Smith, WHY?! Why not White?!
We shall miss you Mr. Smith!
cries

Stark reports that it's Henry, Matt Smith, and another minor leaguer (to be selected from a list) for Abreu and Lidle, with the Yanks paying the rest of both Abreu's and Lidle's contracts.

So, good? Bad? Indifferent?

And as for Lidle, pff, he'll be Chacon/Ponson/Wilson. He sucked balls in the AAA NL League, and he's coming over to the AL.

69 It would be a great problem to have no matter what the batting order.

94 At the end of the day, he's still a middle reliever in his late 20s.

I'll be sorry to see Matt Smith go, if the report turns out to be true.

What about the 2008 option? Will Abreu agree to drop it, as some reports said?

99 Well, unless Cox lives up to his prospectus and is a lights-out reliever, that leaves our pool of relievers in AAA dryer than Death Valley.

I'm in the good camp. Yanks need another bat now, before Matsui & Shef come back (and how well they'll do is unknown). Abreu's shown the ability to hit for power, which is more than anyone else in the OF has shown. Getting another arm is (almost) always good. Unless you want Chacon out there starting again.

John Sickels: Smith Grade C prospect
"could sneak into a LOOGY role if he tigtens up his command"

Why is Mussina falling apart?

95 I would like to see that list. And Matt Smith was pretty darned good, but I'd take Abreu for three years in the same lineup as Giambi.

Walking Jorge Cantu is like walking Robinson Cano, it's rather bad.

92, 93 Yuck I'm not a fan of this trade. Abreu plays in a Little League park and hasn't hit a HR since June 15 or something. I saw him in person last tuesday and was not impressed. I know little about Lidle, but he seems like another old mediocre starter. I'm assuming we'll also have to take on a large part of Abreu's contact which ties us up for the next few years. If he tanks, he will tank big.

In exchange, we're giving up Smith who has been lights out and our first round draft pick from a couple of years ago (Henry). Don't like this deal at all, it speaks of desperation methinks.

Now we'll see if Joe plays Melky or continues to trot GOB out there. If he plays GOB more than 1 day a week, I'll be livid.

108 Melky in left, Abrue in right, Bernie DH

109 That's not bad - esp. since I would like to see Sheff as DH next year playing the Bernie/Ruben role.

Any details on Abreu's no-trade clause?

I bet the Yanks never put in Smith to keep is ERA at 0.00 and to use him as trade bait. Maybe they know something we dont't.

Mussina just gave up hits to Gomes and Lee in the same inning. And walked Cantu.

I'd like to know the last pitcher to do that.

108
This will be the line-up, I guarantee it:
1)Damon - CF
2)Jeter - SS
3)Giambi - DH
4)Abreu - LF
5)A-Rod - 3B
6)Posada - C
7)Bernie - RF
8)Andy - 1B
9)Cairo - 2B

If that is in fact the deal - I don't see a problem with it. The Yanks aren't really giving up any grade A prospects, and regarding the money...I just don't understand why everyone gets so up in arms about it. As many have said, it's not my money. If the Yanks feel they have the money to make the deal...why not. The only thing that happens is it gives the media another stone to throw when the Yankees fail.

107 Abreu has actually hit better on the road (877 OPS) than at home (845 OPS) this year in roughly the same number of ABs. His numbers are not a creation of Ciitzens Bank Park.

109 Well, if you are really being smart, when a righty is pitching, you'll DH Abreu and play Guiel in RF since he's a better fielder. It'll never happen but that would give us the best team out there.

113 Probably Beckett...

I think it's a tight strike zone today.

Would anyone rather have had Proctor included in that deal and Matt Smith brought back up?

114 Ack. I hope not. The whole point of getting a big name like Abreu is to add someone Joe will play over GOB.

What happens to Melky after Matsui comes back? Back to Columbus? I can't imagine putting a 21-year-old on the bench. He needs to play every day.

114 If that is the lineup Joe should be fired. That's criminal. At this stage Melky is so much better than Bernie offensively and defensively its not funny. Melky is also a threat on the basepaths. I love Bernie to death and I'm grateful for all he did, but he does not deserve to be playing more than a day a week if other options are out there.

"The Red Hot Tomas Perez."

Only our pitching can do that.

115 Assuming we agree that the Yanks aren't giving up much to get Abreu/Lidle, isn't it a bit worrisome that no other suitors, and there are plenty, are not stepping in to get the duo w/ a slightly better package?

107 Lights out? Have you looked at his walk rate? Even if you dismiss the 8 BB in 12 IP as small sample size, in his minor league career the K/BB ratio is quite a bit less than 2/1. Not exactly inspiring. And he's 27 years old, not likely to suddenly get better. CJ Henry is behind Tabata, behind Gardner... I think this is a steal for the Yanks.

"The Red Hot Tomas Perez"

::sigh::

121 Another problem. I hope I'm wrong but I think Abreu is going to tank in NY. This has Danny Tartabull written all over it to me.

Why was there such confusion over an obvious foul tip?

124 No. No one else wants to pay Abreu's salary. He's overpaid for what he produces.

Dumb@ss ump.

Jesus fucking Christ.

Its TOMAS FUCKING PEREZ. GET HIM OUT.

Oh, you have gotta be kidding me...
We can't get Tomas Perez out and he just tied the game.

127 Yeah, I agree. I hope he proves me wrong, but I think he's going to be Soriano in reverse. Moves to the AL and goes down in flames.

Mussina channeling Randy Johnson.

129 Agreed but the Yanks aren't the only contender w/ deep pockets who could use an offensive injection.

Can we get Josh Paul out? Is that too tough?

Finally.

Finally.

133 I am afraid of that happening. And he is aging quickly. His power is gone, the batting average is going down. His deffense is going down hill. It has Ghost of Bernie written all over it.

At least, the good bullpen arms are rested.

the ump is bad.

115 The problem with the money is that this ties up the Yankees in terms of corner OFs for a couple of years. If Abreu works out, then fine, they are overpaying a bit, but at least for production. If he tanks and/or has an awful attitude we're stuck with him as no one else wants him at this price. Its even worse if we have to pick up his option before he'll waive the no trade.

I'd have rather seen them stand pat and wait till Matsui comes back. Melky is good and the platoon of Guiel/Bernie is decent if used correctly. Lidle is just bad. He sucks in the NL East, he's going to be annihilated against the likes of Boston, Toronto and Chicago.

139 Old age? Lack of 'roids? I dunno, but he's not the player he was, and I'm not convinced he'll snap out of it.

And Guiel proves my point.

142 The no-trade clause is key. I read somewhere that both that and the option year was dropped. If that is true, we can send him packing over the winter if need be. Probably still have to eat most of the $16M for 2007, but at least the experiment would be behind us...

Abreu's been one of the best offensive players the last 5 years. Maybe I'm being short-sighted but I like this move a lot.

Someone tell Guiel that wasn't the hit & run sign.

146 He might help, but his numbers have gone way downhill lately.

142 You're right on Lidle...he's just not that good, and I too like the Guiel/Bernie platoon, if used correctly. But, back to the money...the Yankees have so much money locked up in so many players it makes your head spin. They're taking a chance and I'm sure they're well aware of the ramifications if Abreu tanks. We'll just have to wait and see.

James Shields still pitching an easy quality start against our line-up...

148 A slump. It happens to the best of them. See A-Rod.

Sometimes, I think people on here would be critical if the Yankees traded for Albert Pujols. No one is a perfect player, and while standing pat might have been okay, this is not a team built to win in the playoffs. Abreu is middle of the pack this year in defense, sure, but its still better than Williams, Guiel, and even Gary Sheffield in right field. What it means is that 1-5 of the Yankees lineup gets on base at a .400 clip or better, and that makes me very happy.

Our offense is still a joke. And Abreu won't fix that. He's Bernie but with more walks at this point, and he really is. He has no power and his AVG. and OBP have been going down.

We saw Abreu in that Phillies series, he sucked balls.

Derek Jeter 2 Drays 2

Pujols isn't a great fielder. I'd pass.

Jeez, what a bunch a negative nellies. First, I would take Tartabull's first two seasons with the Yanks. They were very solid. Second, I don't see the GOB comparisons, completely different players and Abreu is six years younger. Maybe he's on the down slope, maybe he's in a slump, either way his numbers right now -- this year -- are an upgrade over our current corner OFs. I think Matsui returning and being effective from a badly broken wrist is wishful thinking. Matt Smith was too wild to be a trusted middle reliever. CJ Henry's numbers are not inspiring. I see nothing but upside to this deal, especially since I was thinking Proctor, Melky, Clippard, (or god forbid) Hughes were at risk.

Starks on Espn News right now.

151 I hope a slump is all it is.

As Beltran hits yet another grand slam. Grrrrrrr...

Derek!

Whoah, Jeet! I can't believe he made that one.

OK, Cap. Good to see someone's head is still in this game...

159 Not that I dislike Damon(even though he's falling apart not even the 2nd year of the deal), but why didn't we sign Beltran?

153 OBP going down? It's at .427, better than last year. I guess I can settle for that.

163 because the 2004 off-season was the Yanks' front office at its stupidest.

163 He was falling apart before we signed him. That's why the Sox let him go. We knew what we were getting.

Stark just said the Abreu deal would spell the exit of Gary Sheffield. He also mentioned this wouldn't be it for the Yankees. They're still working on getting Hernandez from the Pirates.

Also, his BA is .009 behind last year's. CJ Henry is blocked by Jeter and wasn't going to stick at short anyway. 3B? I think we have that covered pretty well. 2B? Cano for the next decade. Move him to the OF? With Melky, Damon, Matsui, Tabata, Jackson, Gardner, and now Abreu, I don't think it's a stretch to say that Henry would have had a very tough time cracking our lineup.

Yes, I'd rather see White go than Smith, but you have to give up quality to get quality. I just hope the third minor leaguer isn't anyone listed above or Hughes, Clippard, or Cox.

152 That's just not true. Guiel is a better fielder than Abreu in right. Check out there rates. Abreu is below average.

Jeez, Shields has 4 Ks. Come on...

Also, Damon has a higher OPS than last year, and his defense is just slightly vs (97 rate this year, 98 last year). I agree that he was signed for too long, but I don't think he's "falling apart" yet. Of course, I would much rather have Beltran.

Go, Johnny, go, go!

Johnny Damon!
(Go Figure)

Yes, Johnny!

Damon must have heard you guys bad-mouthing him ;)

Of course, when Damon is healthy, he's very, very good. ;-)

slightly worse*

Damm! The quest for .360 will have to wait.

152 First of all, Abreu's ZR was .852 last year (better than Sheffield and a couple others, but not great), it is .876 this year, median among RFs. Guiel doesn't have enough innings to qualify this year. Last year he was at .872 in 56 games. In 2003, he was .888 in 83 games. So two of your points are false: Abreu is just about average, not much worse than Guiel, and he has actually improved from last year. I can't believe there is any fan anywhere who would rather see Bernie Guiel in right field rather than Bobby Abreu.

Kay: Lidle would immediately replace Ponson in the #5 slot...

Kay just confirmed a deal is "imminent." Abreu and Lidle for a "collection of minor leaguers."

He thinks Ponson will be DFA'd to make room for Lidle.

Can't imagine a Phillies' fan likes this proposed deal at all.

Oh, what I would pay for the talking heads to STOP menioning Abreu's 2005 HR Derby win. Irrelevant!

182 They don't. They didn't think Melky, Proctor, Clippard, and Duncan were worth Abreu.

Not that they like Abreu much in Philadelphia, but still...

183 Phillies fans are dumber than I thought.

Are you guys NUTS.
1) In a bad year, Abreu has 65 BRI for a poor team.
2) His OBP is over .400
3) His career OBP is higher then Giambi's
4) His career OPS is the SAME as Sheffield's
5) His career BA is .301
6) He has a very good arm
7) He is 32 years old, same as Jetes

Comparing him to GOB? Are you kidding?
Pitchers tank going from the NL to the AL.
Why should a patient batter?

Post season here we come!

A-Rod needs a HR here.

182 Re: '05 HR Derby. That'll be Kay's new thing. Reliving that every time the camera finds Abreu...

169 Abreu is a markedly better player than Aaron Guiel. Of that I'm confident.

185 Fair. The OPS comparison was surprising. Well, as long as he gets on base, it's cool.

OMG, just STOP with the booing, people. It's these casual Sunday Yankees fans that really get on my nerves...

A-Rod K's THREE times VS. James Shields and his Very High ERA.

It was a decent trade. Abreu is not a bad pick up. If his production increases just a little, the Yankees are in better shape than they are right now. Abreu's VORP is 24.9 which is better than all the other Yankees' current outfielders other than Johnny D. (25.3).

In any case, Lidle is the real catch in this trade. If he is half way decent, the Yankees are in good shape.

Come on Yanks, score some runs here. You have JAMES SHIELDS pitching a quality start against you.

190 The booing has gotten beyond ridiculous. I now think that the "booers" are just doing it for attention and fun.

Lidle has to be better than Chacon/Ponson. I think this is a win for the Yankees.

If the rumors are correct, it's a good trade.

But I don't think his career numbers really enter into it. This "slump" has lasted over a year now. I think it's more than a slump.

Abreu's OBP will only mean more runners LOB. We need someone who can clear the bases. 8 HRS and 65 RBI in that park are numbers I'd expect out of my secondbaseman, not a corner OF. Outside of picking up the salaries, this was highway robbery for the Yanks, but this is by no means a go-head to start printing World Series tickets...

The immortal Thomas Perez at bat.

I think everyone needs to relax. Abreu is a great pick up. He's a hell of a lot better player then Mike Lowell, and look what happen to him with a change of scenery. Abreu will eat the short rightfield porch for lunch.

Stop the presses, the Yanks get Perez out!

James Shields pitched an easy quality start and struck out 6 batters in 6 innings. A-Rod was half of those batters. Damn. Whatever, as we FINALLY get Tomas Perez Out!

Come ON Andy!!!

When Sheff comes back, would the lineup be:

1. Damon CF
2. Jeter SS
3. Abreu RF
4. Giambi 1B
5. A-Rod 3B
6. Sheffield DH
7. Posada C
8. Cano 2B
9. Cabrera LF

Keeps Melky in there and in the field, gets rid of the RF platoon we currently have. I don't know if Sheffield would like hitting sixth...

202 Yes, but Matsui will be back before Sheff - what do you do with him?

Oh, I forgot that Matsui will come back before Sheff. Whoops.

More details, via Ken Rosenthal at foxsports.com: "(it's Henry and Smith 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.

In addition, the Yankees are expected to pick up the remainder of the roughly $19 million owed to Abreu, . . .
Abreu, 32, has given assurances that he will waive his no-trade clause for the Yankees, presumably in exchange for the exercising of his $16 million option for 2008."

So if it doesn't work out, Yanks trade him and pick up a big part of the salary.

202 you're forgetting Matsui

202 I don't think Sheffield will even make it back this year. Look how long it took Nomar when he had his wrist injury. And Derek Lee is back on the DL with his.

202 Matsui will come back first. And Sheff and Matsui won't return to their original selves right away.

In that case, I suppose Melky has to become a LIDR and a pinch runner. ;( Matsui bat seventh? That's a lethal lineup.

This from ESPN:

"Abreu was in the Phillies' starting lineup Sunday but was pulled for Shane Victorino 10 minutes before their game with the Florida Marlins. In the fourth inning, he was seen in the Phillies' dugout, still in uniform, huging teammates."

202 I'm guessing MatsZilla will be back before Sheff, but that works, too. Almost back to our vaunted 'no-holes' lineup ;-)

197 Are you kidding. The Yanks have a ton more men on base then Philly, but only 2 Yanks have more then 65 RBI. 65 RBI averages out to over 100. You expect the Philly's 2nd baseman to have 100 RBI? You expect OUR 2nd baseman to have over 100 RBI?

Mat Smith has NEVER been highly touted... by anyone. That 0.00 ERA was a freak of a tiny sample... but enough to help us on this trade. This is as lopsided a trade in the Yanks favor then I have seen in a long time.

OF: Matsui, Damon, Abreu. Giambi 1B, Shef DH, Melky defensive replacement/spot starter for rest of year.
Next year, Melky better learn to play first as well as OF. Giambi DH and Shef is gone.

197 Abreu actually hits rather well with RISP, so besides being an on-base machine, he'll have ample opportunity to knock a few guys in. Here:

http://tinyurl.com/n4wrn

I don't think either Matsui or sheff will be back with any effectiveness this year. that has to be the yanks mindset regarding the trades.

when/if they come back you have "good" problems to deal with.

ESPN thinks Cashman's not done yet. They say he's still trying to get Craig Wilson and Roberto Hernandez from the Pirates. Wilson to replace Andy Phillips at 1B.

Am I the only one disturbed at the fact that Shields is pitching an easy game? Shouldn't we be leading like 10-2 by now instead of 3-2?

IMO I think Melky should be in the lineup every day, even when Matsui comes back..

I really don't see Melky as a bench player at his age.

"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."

This is not great, but better then Chacon or Ponson... even considering the switch to the AL. Not a bad #5 guy as long as he can eat innings.

A-rod's BA vs. the AL East is .187 so far this year:

BAL .200
BOS .222
TOR .152
TAM .175

205 I would've liked to keep a young catcher, but I suppose he's somewhat more expendable with that international guy signing. Although, according to Baseball Cube, he was 31 (not 18) years old with a .715 OPS in the GCL. Not exactly a stud. http://tinyurl.com/z4yf7

"Carlos Monasterios" doesn't show up on Baseball Cube. Huh?

217 Don't forget the Yanks have never faced him, hence his effectiveness.

218 A player his age should play every day, but which $50 million dollar outfielder are you going to sit for him?

I think he's headed back to Columbus.

Positively DAMONIC (yuk)

JD!!!

Damon doubles down deep!

Johnny Damon hits ANOTHER MONSTER SHOT.
James Shields doing his best Javy Vazquez immitation.

224 Well, we saw that Damon can play 1B - give Philips someplace else to go...

It's the JD & DJ show!

223 True.

214 I do like Abreu's line against Boston:

.455/.561/.818/1.379 in 33 ABs

Drat, only .354!

229 I wouldn't say two innings counts as "seeing he can play 1B."

Still, 1B is often where aging players end up, since it's the easiest defensive position to play. I wonder if he'd agree to it?

232 [Monty Burns] Excellent... [/Monty Burns]

224 Correct. Matsui is going to play every day, Damon's going to play every day (though maybe now he can get a bit more rest for his foot), and you don't trade for a veteran, pick up a large contract, and sit him for a rookie.

Maybe Melky can go back to Columbus and work on his grammar or something.

It's interesting that most people here are focusing on getting Abreu (which I'm very happy about, don't get me wrong) and they aren't bringing up how Lidle is going to help out our pitching staff. Forget being our #5 pitcher, he will probably be our #4 pitcher considering how much Wright has been sucking lately. Wright has pitched one decent game in the last five games. I'll take Lidle over Wright.

Heidi-ho, Kyle.

100 on the gun

235 LMOA!

97 MPH ChangeUp.

Close and late isn't bad (.288/.431/.464). Not great but it gets the job done.

Not to mention RISP: .329/.450/.566 and
RISP 2 outs: .328/.487/.563

Another Lidle fact: he's pitched over 180 innings each of the past 5 years and is on that pace again this year, averaging 6+ innings per game.

202 Matsui comes back before Sheffield. Do you DH Matsui?

Kyle Farnsworth, thou art just nasty.

Farnsworth hitting 101 MPH on the gun.
And then he throws a FILTHY 90 MPH slider.
NOT FAIR.

224 Play Melky and have a rotating DH of Matsui and Abreu. Giambi plays 1st and Andy is a LIDR. That's work fine. That makes the lineup:

CF Damon
SS Jeter
1B Giambi
3B A-Rod
RF Abreu
C Posada
DH Matsui
2B Cano
LF Melky

That'd work, and what you give up on defense by playing Giambi you make up for by not having Andy and Bernie's bat in the lineup.

ANOTHER Lidle fact: he's only given up 5 or more earned runs in 2 starts this year.

245 As long as he does that consistently.

Can anyone find the REAL stats on those two other minor leaguers? I don't think they'll affect my opinion of the trade, but it'd be nice to see.

248 Cool! Will definitely check it out...

I gotta say, when Farnsworth is on he is really impressive. That last pitch wasn't even hear the plate.

I think we keep Melky and dump Andy.
Giambi plays 1st, and we have a decent DH, and a decent #4 OFer. Now that we are headed for the PS, we can rest Damon and Mats more, with Melky filling in. The only problem is Cairo plays first when Giambi DH's and Green at 2nd, until Cano comes back (10 days to 2 weeks).

Maybe we dump Ponson also and bring up a 1st baseman for defense (Duncan?).

I think Ponson is going to be dumped anyway, to make room for Lidle. He refuses to go to the pen, so I think he'll go before Chac.

I think Phillips will be done soon. You've got to stick with Melky.

I'm also guessing they'll cut Ponson loose, and probably try and move Chacon...maybe to Pittsburgh.

They've got to get the staff settled down. I actually think Lidle might be a step in the right direction.

Sanchez's stats:

http://tinyurl.com/oqdrj

257 Thanks.

If Lidle is any good at all, both Ponson and Chacon are gone. Dotel should be coming up soon. So we swap Chacon, Ponson, Guiel and Green for Abreu, Lidle, Dotel and Cano.

Wow... viva la differance

Since Phillips is out of options, what would happen if the team sent him down again, or better stated — what are the team's options with him at this point?

What happens to Melky next year? Unfortunately, it seems very plausible that he'll be moved soon in a trade. I don't want that to happen.

252 Thank you.

259 Replace Guiel with Crosby in your 2nd sentence. We have to dump Crosby and keep Guiel. At least Guiel has shown hitting ability and a good arm, Crosby is useless.

263 Agreed. Time to say goodbye to Bubba.

Just sittin' here, taking Mo for granted, as usual...

262 Guiel can't play CF, Crosby can. We need someone to back up the fragile Damon.

And Guiel has options left, Crosby doesn't. I think it's going to be Guiel headed for Columbus.

266 In that case, dump Crosby and call up the speedy Thompson.

Kay: Abreu deal is official.

Oh my God, Tomas Perez again...

Geez, even Mo can't get Perez out.

248 will chk out.. good luck..

Perez turns into Ted Williams when he plays the Yankees.

Kay just said it's official: Abreu and Lidle will be Yankees by Tuesday.

Traded for four minor leaguers. No word on which ones.

259 I'll expect to see Dotel once he's actually in a game. Er, make that in his second game, to show that soreness isn't an issue.

THE YAAAAANNKEEEESSSS WIN!!!

WE WIN!

267 Thompson is speedy, but he's not much use in CF, either.

Moose gets #13! This is year for 20...

The Yankees' projected lineup for September, if and when Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield come back from injury, could look something like this:

CF Johnny Damon
SS Derek Jeter
1B Jason Giambi
DH Gary Sheffield
RF Bobby Abreu
3B Alex Rodriguez
LF Hideki Matsui
C Jorge Posada
2B Robinson Cano

- Buster Olney

They said on Espn the minor leaguers. I didn't catch it though. It's definitely Henry and Smith though. 271 Thanks.

Yanks outscored 21 - 16, but take 2 of 3.

Damn, Brklyn, stole my line. Moose is getting 20 this year. Good win today. I like the trade too. What a glorious Sunday.

In addition to Henry and Smith the Phillies will get catcher Jesus Sanchez and right-hander Carlos Monasterios.

I have to admit, you guys may have convinced me this is a good deal. I remain skeptical, but I'll look very forward to having my initial reaction proved wrong.

279 Wow, that would be something.

I'm not really counting on SheffSui being ready to play in September, but if they are...

279 Why is A-Rod hitting 6th in that line-up? Olney otta have enough sense to know Sheff and GodZilla won't be productive right off the bat.

281 scoring 19 runs in game.. can do that to ya..

actually i think its easier to digest big losses or routs than 1/2 run losses..

Good win!

Melky shouldn't go any where. I don't see Sheffield coming back this season. Matsui will need to be eased into the outfield.

That lineup is silly. I broke my wrist a few years ago and it wasn't "normal" again for over a year. I didn't have trainers working on me though so who knows but I wouldn't get my hopes up about Sheff and Godzilla.

263 I agree. Matsui can play CF when Damon is resting or DHing. Actually, they should try Melky in CF next spring.

284 285 me thinks Alex is better at 3 hole.. if they cud push alex to 3 and push the remaining guys down 1 spot each it wud b great.

and the bench wud b fasano, crosby|guiel|melky, phillips|green|cairo, bernie..

279 That lineup has 'AL East by 5 games' written all over it...

Is this Lidle's last year on his contract? Does anyone know?

286 Definitely. That blowout had no hangover effect on me today. Those close losses do.

292 ESPN reported he is a FA after this yr

A source with knowledge of the deal told ESPN Insider Jerry Crasnick that the Phillies will pay Abreu $1.5 million in exchange for waiving the no-trade clause and accepting the condition that the Yankees will not pick up his option for 2008.

-- ESPN

read

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2534459

Wow.... with Abreu on board, and 1 of Matsui/Sheff back, it's FUN to play with the lineup. Since Shef's injury is soft tissue, I think he has a better chance of getting his bat back then Matsui. I don't know if anyone has come back from a broken wrist and been immediately effective.

Lidle is a FA after this year.

295
Cashman!
Genius!
Pure Genius!

My Line-Up (With Cano returning soon):

1)Damon - CF
2)Jeter - SS
3)A-Rod - 3B
4)Giambi - 1B/DH
5)Posada - C
6)Abreu - RF
7)Cano - 2B
8)Melky - LF
9)Guiel/Andy/Pena/Whatever - 1B/DH

OR

1)Damon - CF
2)Jeter - SS
3)Abreu - RF
4)A-Rod - 3B
5)Giambi - 1B/DH
6)Posada - C
7)Cano - 2B
8)Melky - LF
9)Oh, whatever - 1B/DH

is this right?
Jesus Sanchez 2006 Gulf Coast Yankees BA .289 OPS 715 7/26/2006

290 Funny quote from Fasano on his DFA/trade: "You're just an animal, and sometimes you go from zoo to zoo".

6-4 O's in the bottom of the 8th - c'mon, Chris Ray...

289 Next year, they'll all duke it out in spring training. This year, Guiel has minor league options. They can send him to Columbus until the rosters expand, thus not losing anyone.

295 The Yankees not having to pick up Abreu's 2008 option is good news.

Anyone got the reaction of the Sox fans on our pending trade?

305 It's 4 o'clock there. They should be out of bed...

Minor tweak:
1)Damon - CF
2)Jeter - SS
3)A-Rod - 3B
4)Giambi - 1B/DH
5)Abreu - RF
6)Posada - C
7)Cano - 2B
8)Guiel/Andy/Pena/GOB - 1B/DH
9)Melky - LF

(Melky before Damonn and Jetes)

295 If that's true, this is a very good deal indeed.

296 The soft tissue injuries take longer to heal than broken bones. Matsui will be back first.

305 They're furious. We're "buying our way to a championship" again. Except we "got Abreu and Lidle for free."

New post-game thread...

This just in: Steve Phillips is a moron. He just said that Sheff would be upset at having to play more DH.

Sheff himself has contradicted this.

Lets give props to Man-of-Cash.
1) Impact batter - Shef replacement if necessary
2) #4/#5 Starter better then Ponson and Chacon
3) Philly pays Abreu for no-trade clause
4) NO 2008 option
5) Give away NOBODY of real value.

We have Abreu AND Hughes, Cano, Tabata and Wang.
Genius.
Pure Genius.
(Honestly... give Cashman a hand. He stole this one)

305 309 does it matter?? i quit wrying abt them long time back..

its hell of a lot more fun.. just thinking abt US..

CRAP. ChiSox take a 7-6 lead in the 8th.

This is a great example of how Cashman with more power is better for this team - George would have pulled the trigger a few weeks ago and we would have given up the farm.

313 Just curious - we'd obviously have something to say if Boston makes a big move...

314 I really hate the Oreos and Angels for shitting the bed like this. The Oreos blow two straight games. And yesterday the Angels blow it. The Angels BETTER win tonight and light up Shelling. I can't imagine even coming near the TV or PC if Shelling wins his 14th. They'll ignore all else and give him the Cy Young right there.

I agree with single and pistol about Cash. He should be arrested for theft. Big Stein and his Tampa posse would've been fleeced. Cash stared down Gillick and guess who won?

312 Yes, without the option I now recind my prior assesment of the trade. Good job by Cashman! Its just years of crappy trades have led me to jump the gun. Thanks to all for convincing me I was wrong!

318 And heaven forbid George heard the Sox were interested - we would have agreed to that 2008 option, private jet and anything else Abreu's agent & the Phillies wanted...

I noticed Guiel playing 1B yesterday (I think it was yesterday). I'm guessing that if the Yanks don't trade for Wilson, Guiel will be kept over Philips.

321 Interesting idea. Except Guiel was terrible at 1B.

It would explain why Joe put Guiel at 1B, though. I couldn't figure that one out.

321 Only reason Guiel played 1B was because they ran out of bench players to put in. He's not a 1B and certainly can't fill a late defensive replacement role like Phillips.

I'm not as certain Lidle's going to be much help. He's been barely ordinary for several years, and his last good season was 2002.

He has to be better than Ponson.

324 Yeah, I agree. Plus, there's the NL pitcher moving to the AL thing.

But we can only hope for the best...

316 i agree with ur view point.. i used to do that a lot..

reading boston herald n globe websites.. it ended up riling me a lot and upping my blood pressure..

but the mutual interest is too tempting.. i agree

299 I like your lineups, but have one concern. Will Torre play Melky and leave Bernie on the bench?

Wow... Oreos won?!?!

YES, Orioles WIN! Back in the lead...