updated 11:06 a.m. ET July 31, 2006

PHILADELPHIA - Bobby Abreu has another chance to prove he can thrive under playoff pressure.

The New York Yankees acquired the two-time All-Star right fielder and starting pitcher Cory Lidle from the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday for four minor league prospects.

Desperate for pitching and a productive bat in their depleted outfield, the Yankees took on Abreu’s hefty contract, hoping he can help them catch first-place Boston in the AL East.

“It’s a team everyone wants to go to,” said Abreu, who slumped badly in the second half last season when the Phillies finished one game behind NL wild-card winner Houston.

A .301 career hitter, Abreu fills a major void in the lineup. New York has been without injured outfielders Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui for most of the season.

“Things started heating up with Philadelphia in the last few days,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “The commitment left with Bobby is a pretty good commitment. This club has worked so hard and with so much fight. If I could, I wanted to give it a chance to win.”

Abreu’s arrival could mean Sheffield won’t return to New York next year. The Yankees hold a $13 million option on his contract for 2007.

The Phillies get left-hander Matt Smith and Class-A shortstop C.J. Henry — a first-round draft pick in 2005. They also landed rookie league catcher Jesus Sanchez and right-hander Carlos Monasterios.

“You never think you got enough, but we’re happy with what we got,” general manager Pat Gillick said.

Abreu, who already has an apartment in New York, received $1.5 million from the Phillies to waive his no-trade clause and accept the deal. The Yankees owe him about $4.3 million of his $13.5 million salary this year, plus $15.5 million next season. He has a club option for $16 million in 2008 with a $2 million buyout. The Yankees did not exercise that option.

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With trade speculation swirling, Abreu was pulled from Philadelphia’s starting lineup about 10 minutes before the first game of Sunday’s day-night doubleheader against Florida, but remained in the dugout. He walked around hugging teammates in the third inning and stayed on the bench, laughing, chatting and cheering.

When the trade was announced to the crowd before the ninth inning, Abreu got a standing ovation. He came out of the dugout, waved and blew kisses to fans. Lidle also came out and tipped his hat.

“That was special. I was almost crying,” Abreu said.

Abreu was batting .277 with eight homers and 65 RBIs. His 91 walks led the majors and his .427 on-base percentage was third in the National League. He has 198 home runs and 841 RBIs over 10 seasons.

Lidle provides depth in a rotation that has struggled due to injuries and inconsistency. The 34-year-old right-hander is 8-7 with a 4.74 ERA in 21 starts this season.

“I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t get a pitcher back,” Cashman said. “I had to get Lidle or the deal didn’t get done. Philadelphia got some players in this deal. I’m tired of giving players. I want to get players.”

Lidle has won his last four starts, pitching eight innings in each of the last two.

“I’m excited about the opportunity,” he said.

When the Phillies first began shopping Abreu last offseason, they wanted a front-line starter in return. Instead, they didn’t get anyone they can insert into a struggling rotation.

The 27-year-old Smith, converted from a starter to a reliever in the minors last season, didn’t allow a run in 12 innings with the Yankees this season. He was sent to Triple-A Columbus on July 4.

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