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 including C.J. Henry, a Class A shortstop who orally committed to play basketball at Kansas University a month before signing with the Yankees.
Desperate for pitching and a productive bat in their outfield, the Yankees took on Abreu's hefty contract, hoping he can help them catch first-place Boston in the AL East.
"It's a good team. They have some good players. It's a team everyone wants to go to," said Abreu, who already has an apartment in New York.
A .301 career hitter, Abreu will fill a major void in the Yankees' lineup. New York has been without injured outfielders Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui for the majority of the season.
"Things started heating up with Philadelphia in the last few days," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "The commitment left with Bobby is a pretty good commitment. This club has worked so hard and with so much fight. If I could, I wanted to give it a chance to win."
The Phils get Henry, left-hander Matt Smith, catcher Jesus Sanchez and right-hander Carlos Monasterios. Henry, the son of former KU guard Carl Henry, was the 17th overall selection in the 2005 draft. He was hitting .232 with two homers and 33 RBIs in 76 games for Charleston in the South Atlantic League. He'll be assigned to Class-A Lakewood.
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