In all likelihood, the Yankees will miss the playoffs this season. People are going to want answers, accountability, and most importantly, an exciting team to watch. If the Yankees maintain the status quo, none of these prerequisites will not be met. However, there is a very simple solution: Trade Bobby Abreu.
Abreu is in theory a very good player. When he has his head together, he can hit for power and extra bases. He is an on base machine and steals plenty of bags. The past five or so years, he has been a top twenty fantasy baseball player, which in theory doesn't mean much other than the fact that he can complement his team in every stat catagory (as opposed to a one-dimensional guy like Ortiz).
However, the smartest plan would be to deal him to an NL club that needs veteran outfield help. Namely, the Los Angeles Dodgers. I say the Dodgers because they match up to the Yankees perfectly as a trading partner. They're an organization that has more prospects than they know what to do with. They're a team that's one or two pieces away from a championship and they know it. And most importantly, they have the financial resources to add a guy like Abreu.
Unlike last season, Abreu will be a free agent after the season. As such, he will not be a financial burden to whatever team receives him. He will likely come cheap due to his lackluster first half of the season.
The best move the Yankees could do is find a way to trade Abreu (and cash/prospect) for James Loney. In Loney, they would be receiving one of the hottest young players in baseball. The 23 year old Loney would instantly spark some much needed heat into the Yankee lineup. On the terrible offense that LA puts forth, Loney has managed a 1.045 OPS in 88 AB's (compared to Abreu's .760 OPS). Furthermore, Loney plays both 1b and RF, meaning he could provide the Yankees with a number of viable options if they want to pursue a big name free agent 1b or RF in the offseason.
Most importantly, trading for Loney would send a powerful message to the Yankee fanbase. Yes, they would be rebuilding. But they would be rebuilding in such a way as to make the team younger without writing off the entire season. It's a trade that would benefit both teams. It's a trade that needs to be done.
Esti Ginzberg
Tori Praver
Sled Hockey
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No way dude. I am a Dodger fan and I would rather have James Loney in the lineup everyday, who hits consistently, is young, and is cheap, then bring in some guy with mileage that at best is just going to give me the same offensive numbers I get out of Loney. Nice try, but the Dodgers organization wont give away a first base prospect so hot that they moved Nomar to third base just to incorporate his his bat into a streak that has gotten us to a season high 12 games over .500.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
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very true. although i gotta say, as good as loney is, the dodgers need a big man in the middle of the lineup to be a serious NL competitor. And i'm sure if the Yankees were willing to throw in another prospect and/or front most of Abreu's remaining paycheck, many teams would be listening. I'm a Dodger fan too and if they had just one big, feared hitter, i feel they could easily get past the Mets and maybe even the Pads.
Dunedan Eressea
Los Angeles, CA
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You really think the Dodgers would give up James Loney for a guy who can bolt after a couple of months?
And, Abreu does have a $16 million option for next year. With the year he's having, who in their right mind would want to pick that up?
But, hey, if the Yankees want to include Phil Hughes and 75% of Alex Rodriguez's deal, that might pique a general manager's interest...
The Yankees could consent to pay 100% of Abreu's contract, and the pseudo-GM in me would say, thanks a lot, nice of you to think of my team, but a very polite and gentle, "are ya kiddin' me???" would end that conversation pretty quickly.
Nice backhand slap of David Ortiz, too...I'll take that "one dimension" over anything the ostensibly challenged mentally("when he has his head together...") Bobby Abreu is providing these days, to say the least.
Good try, though...at least in theory. :-p
adams300
West Palm Beach , FL
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