Afternoon Baseball

That's just one of the many questions and reactions after the Yankees pulled a heist at Citizens Bank Ballpark today, snatching a man who for most of this decade has been one of the top 5 players in baseball (or at least top 10, as I was a little hyperbolic). Even more of a steal is the reports that the Yankees aren't even bound to his 2008 option. Gary Sheffield, another man who won't have his option picked up, should be happy about that (in pride, at least) even if it still leaves him on the outside next year.
The surprise shouldn't be that Abreu was dealt. This was a distinct possibility in the winter meetings. The surprise is that the Yankees got him for so little. No major concessions, just some minor leaguers, as Bronx Banter points out with some other sage commentary on the deal and today's game. Peter Abraham also has a few details you might not have seen. Obviously, not everyone is as delighted about the fleecing of the Phils.

Hopefully, Abreu can turn his game around like Carlos Beltran has done for most of this year (back-to-back games with 2 HR and 5 RBI just the latest). But even with this terrible year he's had, he still has the fifth-best OBP in the game. Can't go anywhere but up.

As for Corey Lidle, I'm No Idiot has reservations, but pointed out that the Yanks basically got him free, and I think he can't be worse than Jaret Wright, or especially, the random fifth starter such as likely-to-be-DFA'ed Sidney Ponson. Good instincts on this go to Mike, who was just asking about Lidle.

I'm hoping Bubba Crosby is gone as a result of Abreu's arrival. He's wildly overloved for a guy who can't even field very well (his turning a single into a double in the middle of Saturday's debacle being just the latest example), which is supposed to be the benefit of his "hustle."

On the Derek Jeter note, with his .427 OBP and .490 (!) SLG, he's got a higher OPS than Miguel Tejada. He's hitting .354 and is on pace for 105 RBI, 112 R, 42 doubles, and a stunning 223 hits. Loving this potential career year.