Abreu shakes off trade rumors

02/21/2006
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Year 9 of the Bobby Abreu era began in a similar manner to the previous eight, with the affable right fielder joking and shaking hands with teammates in the morning, then participating in hitting and outfield drills in the early afternoon.
The wrinkle on this serene first day of camp included more than just than frying in the Florida sun. Abreu endured a post-workout grilling from reporters wondering how he was affected by the persistent rumors of his departure from Philadelphia. Questions ranged from, "Were you upset, really upset or really, really upset?" Not upset at all, according to Abreu.
"I'm fine," he said, smiling and squinting in the picnic area of Bright House Networks Field. "I'm not mad. It's all about rumors. Because there were rumors and they weren't true. I believe [the Phillies] just had meetings."
Meetings that ultimately didn't amount to anything. Abreu was headed to Chicago for Mark Prior, Oakland for Barry Zito, Los Angeles for Derek Lowe, Baltimore for Miguel Tejada ...
Everywhere.
Regardless of how many times he was asked, Abreu insisted that he believes it was all just Hot Stove fodder, and that the Phillies never had any intention of dealing him. If they had, they would have approached agent Peter Greenberg about waving Abreu's no-trade clause.
"They were rumors and I think they were untrue because they should've come to me and talked about it," he said. "I have the no-trade clause, so I can say yes or no. They didn't ask me [to waive it]. That's why I say it was a rumor."
Not officially asking doesn't mean the Phillies didn't discuss possibilities of a blockbuster deal involving their two-time All-Star and first-time Gold Glove Award winner. Abreu represented Philadelphia's best bargaining chip in its quest to land a staff ace. Less than a month from his 32nd birthday, Abreu is one of the more productive outfielders in the game, a middle-of-the-order threat with power and speed.
The point of contention seems to be whether Abreu was actively shopped, or whether the Phillies were simply open to the idea of dealing him. Offseason speculation ran the gamut.
General manager Pat Gillick drew a distinction between Abreu and the club's dealings with Jim Thome.
"On Jim, we were actively trying to move him, and were aggressive in our approach," Gillick said. [With Abreu], I think you have to listen to clubs and make a decision. Someone might offer you something outlandish. I told Bobby we weren't shopping him. When you shop a guy, you lose some of your leverage, but if somebody comes to us, we'll listen."
That, of course, suggests the Phillies are still open to the possibility, and Abreu conceded that his decision to waive is no-trade clause would "depend on the situation."
According to Gillick, teams who approached the Phillies this winter were told of their outfielder surplus and desire for pitching. Abreu's name naturally came up, but the Phillies couldn't find a team willing to pay the remaining two years of Abreu's contract, worth $30 million. Further complicating matters was the likely scenario in which Abreu would require his 2008 option picked up, bringing the total owed to $44 million.
If Abreu's feelings were hurt, or his pride damaged, he didn't show it on Tuesday, and disputed reports to the contrary.
"That's not true. I never said [I was unhappy]," Abreu said. "I was in Venezuela, relaxing. I don't have to talk about being mad or something like that, because the Phillies have been so good to me in the eight years I was here. I'm happy and want to stay."
Hearing that will make the Phillies equally happy, especially manager Charlie Manuel. The team's skipper is thrilled with writing Abreu's name in the three hole in the batting order.
"Sometimes I'll be sitting there by myself and think, '... Bobby Abreu knocks in 100, scores 100, hits .300,' and think, 'There's not too many guys who do this,'" said Manuel. "You can [count] them out on your hand. He had a good year. I don't think as a player you're ever satisfied, but at the same time, he's a very productive player.
"He might come out and have a big barnburner year, because he has that kind of talent. I'd say the best thing about him is we have him."
Abreu said he's recovered from the shoulder, leg and back injuries that curtailed his production at the end of the 2005 season. He hit only six homers after the All-Star break and batted .243 in September/October.
"[Offense] is the strength of our team," said catcher Mike Lieberthal. "To lose somebody like Bobby would have been a huge blow to our offense. I'm happy to see him."
The Phillies will need Abreu to fill the leadership void left by Thome, as well as stay consistent all season. Sure, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard will also provide left-handed power, but they still have to be considered young and unproven.
Abreu has been producing for the past eight seasons.
"We'll miss [Thome]," Abreu said. "That guy brings a lot of energy and chemistry to the team. He's one of the guys that can carry a team and help you as a friend or give you advice on hitting. He takes care of the young guys, too. To be without him this year is kind of weird."
Just as weird as a Phillies team without Abreu.

Source: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/