The Case for Abreu

by sourstuff on May 9, 2006 7:58 PM PDT

First of all, if any of these sentiments have been expressed already, i apologize. I have been out of the loop for a while, the transition out of college without internet for a while.

The whole Zito trading stuff has got me thinking about a rumor that was brought up in the offseason. The one where the Phillies were proposing: Abreu, Lieberthal, Gavin Floyd to A's for Kendall and Zito. I'm not sure if this was a true rumor, but I if I had to guess, I would say it is. Especially since the Phils were trying to trade Abreu to everyone.

I'm thinking maybe this should be revisited. I mean Abreu's OBP is amazing right now, and would fit well in the two hole. It would also move Swisher to the five hole (as long as Bradley is injured), where I think he belongs. And obviously we could dump Kendall's salary. Lieberthal is hurt right now, and it doesnt seem it's bad, so he should be playing again. I honestly couldn't care about him, but only as a throw in to the deal. As for Floyd, sure i'll take him, but I'd much rather have Cole Hamels. But with Cole Hamels playing unconscious right now, maybe we could get Gio Gonzalez. Gio, Mike, and Bobby for Barry and Jason would be sweet. And the phils have made no bones about the fact that they need pitching. And with their lineup so lefthanded heavy, they could finally create the very balanced lineup of:

Rollins
Rowand
Utley
Burrell
Howard

Plus, they may want to stick it to the Mets by getting Zito.

Then kendall could charge the mound and take down Pedro with the Don Zimmer toss and ignite their fans.

Bobby Abreu is 32. And that is the main issue. But the prospect of the Bob squad with him and Croz (excuse me, "bones") would be awesome.

Maybe we could even sign Abreu to a 2 yr deal like we did Kotsay. 2ys, 24mil. Free'd up from Kendall's contract. Melhuse could start next year, then Suzuki in 2008!

This was way too long, for something that won't happen. But i just felt like posting.

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Kendall kills it

Phils would not want Kendall as he has negative trade value, considering his contract. They might do Abreu for Zito if we were able to get a replacement for Abreu in the OF, either directly from us or through a three-way trade in which we'd throw in somebody else. Zito + Payton for Abreu?

But adding Kendall to the mix only sours the deal for them.

by OaktownTribesman on May 9, 2006 8:27 PM PDT reply actions

Eh...

I've always liked Abreu and Floyd, and was very excited when this rumor came around in the early offseason. This excitment came from me not being as big as a Zito fan as I am now, but really, if the A's are trying to go get it all, we need Zito, or get another strong starting pitcher. If that pitcher is actually Brad Hasley, maybe Beane would try to trade Zito for some power, or prospects, while we still have enough talent to push to the world series. In all honesty, I dont see Zito moving anywhere this year, and I'm fine with it. Because I'm a bigger Zito fan than, Abreu, Floyd, and Lieberthal combined. :)

by OaklandDynasty on May 9, 2006 8:54 PM PDT reply actions

They say Abreu has a Manny-like attitude...

But I guess nothing is worse than Thomas right now.

New T-Shirt: "In Billy We Trust, but in Macha... HELL NO!"

by OaktownRajah on May 9, 2006 9:39 PM PDT reply actions

Atleast Thomas is better than Eric Karros.

by KMoAsFan on May 9, 2006 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions

and cheaper

by OaklandSi on May 10, 2006 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions

I don't think you can trade Zito

And get an early 30's talent like Abreu in return. You don't save yourself any cost and you aren't setting yourself up for any prime years to come your way (in fact, you're setting yourself up to be the proud employer of a slugger in his decline years.) I like Floyd a little, and Lieberthal enough to exchange for Kendall, but not enough to pass up on a deal for a dynamic young talent ready to start entering his prime years at a cheaper cost like the Mets' Lastings Milledge (if it does, in fact, exist.)

Don't get me wrong, the deal sets us up well enough for 2006. But in dealing a guy like Zito you just have to look beyond 2006.

by walk off bunt on May 9, 2006 9:54 PM PDT reply actions

Know what

I'll trade a case of anything the Phillies want for Abreu.

Why yes. I am a ray of warm and fuzzy sunshine.

by grover on May 9, 2006 9:59 PM PDT reply actions

Everyone loves Abreu

But I have a feeling he won't be available until he can no longer do what makes him a great player now. In a few years, he'll still have the OBP without the power or average. In other words: Frank Thomas, circa right now.

THAT'S when we'll pick up Bobby Abreu.

by Crosbino on May 9, 2006 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions