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

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

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.