Yanks get Abreu, Lidle (maybe)

Reported here. Yanks give up shortstop CJ Henry, their number one draft pick from 2005. This would seem to be a small loss, as the Yankees are rather set at that position for the moment, and apparently for the next 7-8 years, minimum, but remember this was the same logic that allowed the Red Sox, with Hall-of-Famer Wade Boggs at third, to trade a minor-league third-baseman named Jeff Bagwell in 1990.

Abreu would have to waive his no-trade, and would be looking to get paid to do so, but ESPN has reported that Abreu has backed off his position in recent days.

In Lidle, the Yankees get a prototypical "throw-strikes-and-eat-innings" back-of-the-rotation starter, a counterpart to Jared Wright. Someone call Syd Ponson a cab.

Abreu would seem to slide into right field for now, and the outfield, with a maturing Melky Cabrera and (apparently) healthier Johnny Damon, goes from a worry to a asset, on balance. Abreu would seem to bat sixth or seventh, shoring up a weak second half of the order. And as Abreu figures to play every day, now Aaron Guiel, Bubba Crosby and Bernie Williams go from marginal everyday players to pluses off the bench.

A good trade, if all goes through.