Phillies Acquire Lidge in Trade, Bourn to Astros
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The Phillies pulled the trigger on the first big move of the MLB general managers’ meetings in acquiring closer Brad Lidge and infielder/ centerfielder Eric Bruntlett from the Houston Astros in exchange for outfielder Michael Bourn, relief pitcher Geoff Geary and a minor league third baseman.
The Phillies seem to have made the best all-around economic move in acquiring Lidge who made $5.35 million in 2007 and who will be eligible for free agency after 2008.
By acquiring Lidge and parting with Bourn, it seems obvious that the Phillies will intensify their efforts to sign free agents; set-up man JC Romero and centerfielder Aaron Rowand. Regarding Rowand, trading Bourn could haunt the Phillies if they don’t sign him.
Bruntlett, who is listed as shortstop/centerfielder on Yahoo sports’ list of players, may be a good utility player in replacing Abraham Nunez who’s option was not picked up by the club. But Bruntlett does not appear to bring the dimensions with the bat, speedwise and defensively anywhere near what Bourn brought to the team in 2007.
Geary was inconsistent throughout the 2007 season shuttling back and forth between the big club and the minors.
AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum as well as bloggers such as Phillies Nation’s Brian Michael indicate that Lidge’s acquisition clears the way to return Brett Myers, closer through much of last season, to the starting rotation. That rotation would then line-up as Cole Hamels, Myers, Kyle Kendrick, Jamie Moyer and Adam Eaton.
But, contrary to the above, I would not rush to return Myers to starter until we have an idea of what Lidge has in the tank for 2008. Without Myers in the bullpen, the main relievers look something like this; middle relief - Tom Gordon (a BIG question as to what he’s got left and how his shoulder would hold out), set-up — Romero (assuming he’s signed) and Lidge. My guess is that if Myers goes back into the starting rotation, a middle reliever is a necessary as I can’t see depending in any capacity for any duration on Gordon, who went 60 day DL last season with right rotator cuff inflammation.
If Ryan Madson recovers from his shoulder woes of last season and can return to his rookie form of 2004, BIG IFs, then he fills the middle relief role with Gordon used on a limited basis. Move Myers back to starting and the bullpen then would look like this; middle relief - Madson, Gordon (spelling him), set-up - Romero and Lidge.
For more detail on Lidge, including cumulative stats on his last 4 seasons, as well as Myers and other 2007 closers throughout the MLB, click here.
As far as starters are concerned, the Phils still need another starter; Moyer is getting no younger and Eaton was an abysmal disappointment in 2007. The Phils are right to check out Japanese pitchers as was indicated in a recent column by Philly.com’s Paul Hagen. Also, Phillies Nation’s Michael recently suggested packaging a trade of Eaton for Chicago White Sox starter Jon Garland, whose record tailed off from 2005 and 2006 but whose stats remained comparable, or acquiring veteran free agent lefthander Andy Pettitte who opted-out of his $16 million contract with the Yankees for next season.
Suggesting Pettitte seems particularly wishful thinking as NY Post’s Joel Sherman reports;
According to Cashman, this was about a 35-year-old man unsure if he wants to continue to be away from family and push his body.
“Andy reiterated that he wants to be a Yankee or retire,” Cashman said last night at the GM Meetings. “He’s just not ready to make a decision yet.”
Pettitte weighed retirement last offseason and it was only after an aggressive recruitment that Cashman has described as a “fullcourt press” that the lefty decided to not only play, but to reunite with the Yankees. He was what the Yankees hoped, both an outstanding, unflappable starter (15-9, 4.05 ERA) and a role model/leader for young pitchers.
Sure it would be great having Pettitte here to mentor Hamels, but frankly, I’d be shocked but pleasantly surprised if the lefthander emerged in Phillies pinstripes. Going after Garland seems much more do-able provided that the asking price besides Eaton is not too steep. After last year’s Freddy Garcia fiasco, the White Sox kinda owe us one. Also, where is Kyle Lohse during these machinations? Does the starting pitching solution exist in-house?
Finally, getting away from pitching, the Phillies must come to a mutually satisfying long-term deal done with slugging 1st baseman Ryan Howard. He means too much to the Phillies’ long-term plans to get on the wrong side of.
And as for 3rd base, the solution may just be in-house, just as with Pat Burrell as protection for Howard. Why not look at Greg Dobbs as our 3rd baseman? There’s definitely pop in his bat which was lacking last season in Wes Helms. And with experience, he will surely improve in the field where, incidentally, his 3rd base defensive stats were an improvement over Helms.
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