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As I look at the trade for Delluci from the Rangers, I am somewhat stumped. What is going on? Overall, Tejeda was expendable because you have Franklin in the bullpen if one of the starters should falter. Also Randy Wolf is scheduled to return in late July and in the minors one or more of Eude Brito, Daniel Haigwood and Cole Hamels sould be ready for the big leagues. But shouldn't Tejeda be kept to be used later to obtain a reliever, a catcher, or in case someone like Rollins, Utley or Howard get hurt?
Secondly, why was it so important to obtain an outfielder when it is expected that Rowand and Abreu will play more than 150 plus games while it is hoped that Burrell will play in the same range? If Burrell has some injuries, you have Shane Victorino to fill in. Victorino is both a tremendous fielder and an explosive hitter and is poised to be starting for the Phils or another major league team soon. In an emergency, Alex Gonzales can play a few games in left and remember Chris Roberson nearly made the team, being cut on the final weekend before the season starts.
Thirdly, why was it so important to get a lefthanded bat? Utley, Abreu and Howard hit left handed while Victorino, Rollins and Nunez are switch hitters. It is unlikely if the Phils were worried about Burrell's nagging foot that the focus would be on a lefthanded batting outfielder, the focus would be on obtaining an outfielder right or lefthanded hitting.
Fourthly, new Phillies GM Gillick has a reputation of planning his moves carefully. Buster Olney at ESPN.com states "here's more mad scientist in Gillick than any general manager I've covered; he always thinking two or three moves ahead, and he won't always tell you what he's doing." He has been trying to trade Abreu almost since he arrived. Further, he never denied any of the rumors about Abreu and the entire winter there were additional rumors even when it was apparent that Gillick wasn't going to get the value he needed during the off season. Some have speculated that Gillick kept the rumors going even though he planned on making the trade after the season started so Bobby Abreu could hear them and "get used" to the idea of being traded so when it happened, he'd be more likely to waive his no trade clause.
So why trade Abreu? The assumption has been that Abreu has a higher value and could bring in a top of the rotation type starting pitcher but I think it is much more. I think Manuel saw something missing last year that he and Gillick count as paramount to creating a winning team - performing in the clutch. The contrast between Abreu and other Phillies such as Utley, Howard, Leiber. Rollins and even David Bell during the final 30 games was stark. Abreu choked big time. During the World Baseball classic he choked again hitting only .160 and going hitless in the biggest, most important games. Also, Gillick doesn't like his big contract, he is handcuffed at what he can do because he is stuck paying a huge contract to Abreu and Abreu has a no trade clause.
Delluci isn't the type of guy you see as a pinch hitter type. He is the type of guy who can play every day, he had 435 at bats last year. No this trade is to obtain a veteran outfielder who can play everyday. Gillick is now able to do two very important things - trade Abreu without trusting right field to a rookie and eating some of Abreu's contract since Delucci makes less than $1 million. Eating part of Abreu's contract would allow Gillick to trade with smaller payroll teams such as Oakland (think Barry Zito), Baltimore (think Erik Bedard) or a pitching heavy team like Milwaukee or Minnesota.
I don't expect Abreu to be gone during the next week or two but I do expect a major, blockbuster trade by the end of May, well before the trade deadline. Gillick already knows the market for Abreu and he'll look for an opportunity such as injuries to a key player similar to what he did with Delluci the same day the No. 2 starter, Adam Eaton went on the disabled list, Gillick pounced.
Also, Abreu isn't the only one who Gillick will be trading. Both Bell and Lieberthall will be gone before the all star break. Bell's writing has been on the wall, while I think the phillies will be sending Coste to Scranton and he'll be catching lots of games in the first month to see if he and Frasno can share duties after Lieberthal is traded or if the Phillies will need to trade for a cartcher with more experience.
Expect the trade for Lieberthal to come after the Abreu trade because it is likely that Gillick will need to pay a portion of his salary and will need the "net savings" after an Abreu trade to make it work.
So who do I think the most likely trading partner will be for Abreu? The focus is on obtaining a starting pitcher but it could be a reliever or even a position player that is younger, has good upside and a better contract. With that said, Gillick has made it clear that he wants a clutch starting pitcher. I think there is a better than 50% chance that, we trade with the White Sox and I expect the Phillies may include Lidle or Floyd to obtain Jose Contreras and Jermain Dye. Conterras was exceptional in the 2nd half of the season and in the post season, while Dye was the World Series MVP who is a right-handed hitting outfielder. Both guys are "money" when it counts and have had success in the post season - similar to Rowand, Leiber and Tom Gordon.
If the phillies obtain an everyday outfielder when they trade Abreu, I would think that Burrell could also be moved by the All Star break because Delucci could play left field, Burrell choked in September and also has a contract Gillick hates.
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