Phillies aren't finding a match for Abreu

12/06/2005
DALLAS -- Despite his name being linked to nearly every team in baseball, Bobby Abreu spent another day as a member of the Phillies.
While he remains the hot name being discussed -- and general manager Pat Gillick is still open to suggestions -- a match hasn't been found for Philadelphia's middle-of-the-order hitter.
"I don't want to talk about a particular player, but you look at the numbers Abreu puts up," Gillick said. "If you do a deal involving him, you've got to get a lot back. There are clubs that just don't have that much to give back."
Rightfully so, it would take a substantial haul to pry the two-time All-Star and first-time Gold Glove winner from the Phillies -- specifically a top-name pitcher, and few teams have an available bona fide stud to swap for the on-base machine. And if a team did, it's unclear whether that team would also be able to absorb the $30 million Abreu is owed over the next two seasons.
Taking it one step further, the Phillies would also have to get Abreu to waive his no-trade clause, as they did last month with Jim Thome when he was dealt to the Chicago White Sox.
Either way, Gillick also expressed some reluctance to take that much of an offensive hit to upgrade the pitching staff. Abreu's offense is difficult to replace, given that Thome is gone and first baseman Ryan Howard is still a bit of an unknown commodity.
"I wouldn't think we'd take that hit right now," Gillick said.
Instead, Abreu could suit up for a ninth season in Philadelphia. That doesn't mean Gillick isn't still exploring, according to rumblings throughout the Wyndham Anatole hotel, where the Winter Meetings are being held. One possibility had a potential swap with the Dodgers that could involve third baseman David Bell and either pitchers Derek Lowe or Brad Penny.
The Dodgers are one of a handful of teams that can absorb some salary, and a swap involving those names would be close to even financially.
Abreu staying doesn't mean Gillick spent Tuesday lounging by the pool, as he, assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and manager Charlie Manuel met with a steady stream of agents and team representatives in the lobby of the Wyndham Anatole.
"We'll continue to talk with clubs and try to address our needs, which is our pitching staff," Gillick said. "There's a possibility of one or two things, and we'll have to wait and see if they work out. They're contingent on some other things."
Without naming teams, Gillick said the Phillies had two potential deals, one involving a "higher-level" guy. Assuming the higher-level guy could represent the embers from a deal involving Abreu, the lesser deal might mean Jason Michaels.
Teams that have met with the Phillies over the past two days have been told they have an outfielder to spare from a group that includes Michaels, Endy Chavez and Shane Victorino. Philadelphia can trade one and turn another into a fourth outfielder.
The signing of Abraham Nunez has also made Tomas Perez available, should any team show interest.
Tuesday's speculation had Michaels headed to San Diego for a pitcher. Philadelphia expressed interest in Scott Linebrink, but learned he wasn't available, especially if closer Trevor Hoffman leaves. Another possibility could be right-hander Tim Stauffer, a former first-round pick who allowed 10 homers and compiled a 5.33 ERA in 14 starts in 2005. Another is Adam Eaton, though the Padres probably would want more for their projected No. 2 starter.
The right-handed Michaels hit .304 in 289 at-bats in 2005, though he hit six fewer homers than in 2004. His keen eye at the plate produced a .399 on-base percentage. He can play all three outfield positions, but spent most of his time in center field the past two seasons.
A major stumbling block for Gillick involves dealing some of the team's pitching prospects. Scott Mathieson and Gavin Floyd have been discussed, and the Phillies are reluctant to deal either.
"The major problem is who they want back," Gillick said. "We don't have the inventory of people who we can give back. There are some people we just can't move, even for a quick fix. You can't move a Mathieson or a Floyd. You're not going to get yourself out of the situation you're in right now with a high payroll by getting rid of guys who you have control over and you have control over their salaries."
No Prior: Cubs general manager Jim Hendry dismissed a published report that suggested the Phillies were sending Abreu to the Cubs for Mark Prior. While he was at it, he also shot down speculation involving Carlos Zambrano.
"Carlos Zambrano and Mark Prior are not going to be traded by the Chicago Cubs," Hendry said.
Hamels update: Prized pitching prospect Cole Hamels, who has had a variety of injuries over the past two seasons, had some inflammation in his lower back last week. Though he's expected to be ready for Spring Training, Gillick expects Hamels will be dealing with something his whole career.
"I don't think it will work itself out," Gillick said. "From what I gather, it may be something that's controllable, but it sounds like something that will always be there. They can't do a surgical procedure that will make it go away. You have to treat it and hope to reduce the inflammation in the area. The indication from him is that he's got some relief."
New hire: A.J. Hinch planned to someday morph from player to front-office executive. He just didn't expect the plan to kick in so early.
"I never thought it would happen at 31," he said with a laugh.
Hinch, who spent the past two seasons nurturing Philadelphia's young pitchers at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, joined the Arizona Diamondbacks last Monday as manager of Minor League operations.
Dressing in a sharp black suit and bopping from meeting to meeting is now the life for the Stanford University grad, a path he hopes will one day lead to a general manager position. The former first-round pick lives in Arizona and ended up with the Diamondbacks for a few other reasons. He and D-Backs GM Josh Byrnes have a mutual friend and general partner Jeff Moorad had been Hinch's agent.
Hinch entered the winter looking for a playing gig and found a few nibbles. But the Diamondbacks offered a jump-start toward a high-level position.
"I haven't felt this excited about an opportunity in years," he said. "It's a breath of fresh air that makes it OK. The player in me is sad to quit -- it's going to affect you, and there's no magic potion that makes that go away -- but this is a drastic change of scenery."
How drastic?
"I haven't had this many calls from agents since I was a junior in college," he said.

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