How do you feel about the Phillies getting Brad Lidge?

Question

To the Phillies fans, and Astros fans. I am a Phillies fan, and new season ticket holder and i have to say i feel pretty good about bolstering our bullpen with Brad Lidge. We don't have the Cards in our division, and i saw the last Sunday NIght Baseball game last year when they again ran Lidge out of the game, but i feel he should bounce back this season. Provide your thoughts.

Answer 1

I like it a lot, if you look at what he did after initially losing his job last year to reclaim himself he proved that he can be a good reliever if the closer thing does nto work out. Myers was hit and miss with his save opportunities and is being paid starter money so I think they try to get him back int ot he rotation. As far as the rest of the players in the deal it was a wash. Geary showed flashes of promise but they were followed by 500 foot homeruns on 0-2 counts. Bourn is a guy with "potential" where as Lidge is all in on the major league roster, I like the move for the Phillies, now get another front line starter and possibly a REAL 3B and we are in business.

Answer 2

Nobody can really have much of a feeling on it until next June or July when Lidge is either tanking or having a nice season for them. It's a deal that hinges on the guy bouncing back. I would rather see Brett Myers as a starter anyway. He throws way too many curve balls for a closer and does way too much nibbling. Mariano Rivera has already said he will not be coming to Philly and Cordero from Milwaukee would have been far too expensive for the cheap Phillies. Geary and Bourn really are no loss but I'm not sure if I like seeing Costanzo go when they clearly need to upgrade the 3B position. You can't really fault Gillick for trying though, there just isn't much else out there right now.

Answer 3

I think it's a reasonable move on the Phillies part. The Phils need a closer who can get that big "K" when it's needed and Lidge is that guy as long as his arm holds up.

He has an impressive BB to K ratio and a lifetime ERA of 3.30 which in today's game is pretty dam good.

I still think they need to pick up another top line starter. Right now they are good enough to win the division again but will need that extra starter to get to the World Series.

Answer 4

The Phillies reach the postseason for the first time in 14 years, by one game, partly because of a game in April (I was there) where Lidge blew a lead... and now they've GOT him? Are they insane???

Answer 5

don't like it. i leave myers in the closer spot unless we sign mariano rivera, which seems unlikely, and go after a starter via trade. a number one or two is probally not likely, just because we don't have much to trade. i was reading today that we are very interested in a starter from japan, who is a free agent and would require no posting fee. we could use middle relief help but we need lefties, lidge is a righty. bringing lidge in to close in that tiny park is not something i would consider. holy crap! i thought you were asking a hypothetical question. i didn't realize they actually did this.

Answer 6

Lidge will have you on the Ledge!

Answer 7

My condolences. Does this mean Flash Gordon finally retires or does he turn up somewhere else?

Answer 8

Relieved.

(And not trying to make a pun.)

-- Astros follower

Answer 9

sadly, he's damaged goods. mentally, he cannot perform the closer role since pujols drilled him in the playoffs a couple of seasons ago. he might be able to do it in the season but if you expect him to perform well in the playoffs, i dont think he can.

Answer 10

My only thought on this is, "Well, whoop-de-doo!"