Getting Closer

The Phillies trade for Astros former closer Brad Lidge is a good thing, right? That’s what my brother asked after being informed of the deal that sent Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary, some minor leaguer named Mike Costanzo to Houston for Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett.

 

I would have liked this deal a whole lot better last year, but then again, had this deal been done last year the Phillies would have given up a whole lot more than a platooned outfielder and a middling middle reliever.

 

Bourn is an underrated player who gave the Phillies offense some extra oomph with his speed on the base paths. Without Bourn or Victorino in the lineup in late August and early September you could see how the Phillies offense became mired in station to station baseball, Dobbs and Burrell clogging up the paths, and totally dependent on Utley and Howard to knock guys in. And assuming Rowand is leaving, an outfield of Burrell, Victorino, and Werth/Bourn – with Bourn coming in for Burrell late in games on defense or pinch running wasn’t half bad. Now, though, Burrell, Victorino and Werth? Not as impressive.

 

Lidge falter this past year and lost his closers job. His decline is probably due to mental issues since his numbers – games played, innings, saves, etc – have remained pretty consistent over the past 4-5 years, i.e., it’s not something physical.

 

Fortunately, learning from the Eagles’ mistakes, Pat Gillick had the presence of mind to call Brett Myers before the trade was announced to inform him of the deal and that, oh yeah, you’re moving back to the starting rotation. Fortunately, Gillick came to his senses and realized that Myers as a starter was better for the Phillies than Myers as a closer, especially as the starting pitching free agents are weak – doubly so after Curt Schilling re-signed with Boston.

 

Hamels and Myers on the front end and Lidge on the back end? That’s a pretty good pitching combination if Lidge can return to form.

 

But the biggest cause for optimism has to be that Ed Wade was on the other end of this deal. So the Phillies are practically guaranteed to have gotten better talent in return for whatever Wade wanted.