Last night, the Phillies made the first big move by any team this off-season, making a trade with the Houston Astros for former All-Star closer Brad Lidge. They also acquired infielder Eric Bruntlett in the deal and sent outfielder Michael Bourn, relief pitcher Geoff Geary, and third-base prospect Mike Costanzo to Houston.
The trade allows the Phillies to move Brett Myers back to the starting rotation next season, with Lidge taking over his vacated closer role. Lidge has had some struggles over the last couple of seasons, but there are indications that he could return to being the dominant closer he was in 2004 and 2005. After all, he’s still only 30 years-old and he had 19 
saves after the All-Star break in ’07.
Myers has said he prefers to close, but I’ve been saying for months that he should be back in the rotation in ’08. As Pat Gillick said, he’s better than any of the starting pitchers available on the free-agent market and I think it’s easier to find a capable closer than a capable #2 or #3 starter.
It’s not surprising to see the Phillies deal with the Astros, as former Phils GM Ed Wade took over in Houston last month. I would think that Ruben Amaro Jr. was more involved in this trade than usual, as Wade is his mentor and the man that hired him as the Phils assistant GM.
All three players the Phillies gave up in the deal were draft picks during Wade’s tenure. Bourn is a promising outfielder with speed, but he was expendable with the similar Shane Victorino already entrenched in the outfield. Geary has been a useful reliever but I’ve never had too much confidence in him and it’s not much of a loss. One question mark in the deal is Costanzo. He is a local product that many hoped would develop into the third-baseman the Phillies have been looking for since Scott Rolen left town. He had a very good year at AA Reading and I would look for him to be in the majors by 2009. How good he will be is still anyone’s guess, though.
I think parting with Costanzo was well worth it. The Phillies showed this year that they are on the verge of being title contenders. Acquiring Lidge allows them to improve their rotation (and very possibly the bullpen) without losing any major league talent of great consequence or spending a ton of money. Gillick says he will continue to pursue a starting pitcher and this deal brings the 2008 roster into much clearer focus.
I still think that closers are more important than #2 starters, but when you can trade bit pieces and a prospect to get BOTH, then you have to do it. This is a GREAT trade for the phils! Please don’t remind me I said this at Costanzo’s Hall of Fame induction speech
Well, a main part of my argument that Myers should go into the rotation was that it’s a lot easier, right now at least, to get a closer than a #2 starter. I think this trade backs that up. Guys like Myers, that can give you 200+ innings and a sub-4 ERA, are just ridiculously scarce (and expensive). And I still think that #2 starters are more important!
I’m hearing that Myers will be very reluctant to give up his closer role. I sure hope he gives that up so his transition back into the rotation can be one without controversy.
I like this new site, guys. I’m going to check-in daily so keep it updated and fresh. Also, I noticed an issue with your font, especially in the word “closer” or “close”, the c and the l come together to look like a “d” in these instances. Might just want to change the style. Besides that it looks great, probably going to do better than the short lived Hector St. project known as “The Fresh Lemonade”.
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