Bravo Pat (Burrell)....

By Jared Trexler

The Phanatic will obviously have in-depth coverage of the Bobby Abreu trade when it becomes official.

The only official part to date is that Abreu is no longer a Phillie.

The outfielder was a late pull from the lineup for Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader, prompting speculation that he was moments from being traded.

That seems to be the case, as ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting the Yankees and Phillies have reached an agreement that would send Abreu and right-handed starter Cory Lidle to the Yankees for a bag of balls and some pine tar (aka a few "prized" Yankees prospects who resemble my colleague John McMullen on the mound more than they do Roger Clemens).

What wasn't known is what Olney said next.

The Phillies didn't necessarily want to trade Abreu. In fact, GM Pat Gillick would have preferred not to.

The man he wanted to trade was Pat Burrell. In fact, Gillick had a deal set for Burrell.

Done. Finished. Pack your bags Pat and don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Ed Wade must be laughing right about now. He's the one that gave a mega-deal with a full no-trade clause to a player with one good season on the books.

Burrell turned down a deal to Baltimore that would have brought Rodrigo Lopez and two minor-league prospects back to Philadelphia.

Think you hate that deal. Just wait until you see what the Phillies got for Abreu.

Burrell doesn't particularly help the Phillies on the field -- strikes out far too much, doesn't hit for average, fails with runners in scoring position, can't remotely cover ground in left field.

Now, Pat the Bat (odd nickname for a guy that can't swing one) is sticking it to the Phillies again.

This sounds like a rant because it is one. It's a rant of a sports writer who understands this city's desire for a champion.

What the inept fans in this city don't understand (that may be generalizing....let's say most fans) is that the club would be closer to a title with Abreu than with Burrell.

Once the deal is complete, I'll be back to tell an entire city how they never appreciated one of the greatest players in club history.

Enjoy Shane Victorino. Enjoy Aaron Rowand. Hope you kept pictures of Abreu.

Thank you Pat.


Click here for copyright permissions!

Copyright 2006 The Phanatic