<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>PHILADELPHIA -- The New York Yankees acquired All-Star right fielder Bobby Abreu and starting pitcher Cory Lidle from the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday for four minor league prospects.Desperate for pitching and a productive bat in their depleted outfield, the Yankees took on Abreu's hefty contract, hoping he can help them catch first-place Boston in the AL East.The Yankees sent the Phillies 20-year-old minor-league shortstop C.J. Henry -- their No. 1 pick in 2005 -- and 27-year-old left-handed reliever Matt Smith. The Phillies also received minor league catcher Jesus Sanchez and right-hander Carlos Monasterios, while the Yankees took on responsibility for Abreu and Lidle's contracts. Abreu could have exercised his no-trade clause and killed the deal, as his agent said recently that any team expecting to acquire Abreu would have to pick up his $16 million option for 2008 in order for a trade to go through. However, the Yankees wanted Abreu under the expectation that they would be paying only the $22 million owed on his deal through 2007 and told the Phillies to negotiate any deal required to waive the no-trade clause, ESPN's Buster Olney reported.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 are not obligated to pick up his option for 2008. The source also said that Abreu would have accepted a similar deal to the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels. Not including that payout, the Phillies could save as much as $23 million on Abreu alone, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.Abreu is making $13.5 million this year and is owed $15.5 million next season. He has a club option for $16 million in 2008 with a $2 million buyout.The deal tentatively called for the Phillies to receive one minor-league player -- Henry -- and another from a list of players. But Stark reported the Phillies received two players because they agreed to take Sanchez and Monasterios from the Gulf Coast League.</div><div align="center">Source</div>
Huge Pickup for NY, but tons of prospects heading to Philly. New York will win the East if Boston doesn't trade.Subway Series 2006?
