Revisiting the Abreu Trade

The Hardball Times posted a great article today that looks back on the Phillies trade of Bobby Abreu to the Yankees back in July 2006. Now that 20 months have passed since the trade, the article weighs in on the impact for both teams and comes to the conclusion that there was no real winner. While the Yankees got the better players (don't forget the late Cory Lidle was part of the deal), the Phillies got rid of Abreu's salary and his lackadaisical attitude. It was no coincidence the team made a major turnaround immediately after Abreu was shipped out. His removal allowed new leaders to emerge, like Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley, who had a passion for winning, unlike the nonchalant Abreu.

While it would have been nice for the Phillies to have gotten something of value for Abreu, few Phillies fans would want him back in Philadelphia. It's just too bad the four players they got from the Yankees, Matt Smith, C.J. Henry, Carlos Monasterios and Jesus Sanchez, have no major league future. Henry isn't even with the Phillies anymore, having "retired" and then subsequently returning to play with the Yankees.

Abreu did help the Yankees reach the postseason the last two years, but there is no way the Phillies would have made the run they did last season with Abreu still on the team, so both teams come out looking pretty good in this deal.