Phils/Astros make a deal

[Frayed Knot]

as current Houston/former Philly GM Ed Wade deals for some of his old players:

Brad Lidge and IFer Eric Bruntlett
to the Phils for OF Michael Bourne, RP Geoff Geary & AA 3Bman Mike Costanzo


- Houston will want Bourne to be their starting CFer and allow them to move Hunter Pence to RF
- Lidge means a probable move a Brett Myers back to the rotation and Tom Gordon setting up for Lidge.

Edited November 7, 2007 by Guest

[Gwreck]

Also means the Phils may well resign Rowand.

[nymr83]

houston ripped the phils imo

[A Boy Named Seo]

I don't know. Seems a good deal for the Phils. Costanza looks like maybe the best player they're giving up on. Bourne and Geary are not significant losses. Gordon and Myers both had inconsistent spells last year, so the back of their pen is no less reliable with Lidge. And their rotation certainly improves with Myers back in it.

[Guest sharpie]

I guess that makes Chad Qualls the 'Stros closer.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Great deal for the Phils is my first reaction. I mean, if Lidge continues his shakiness that's too bad. But even if they don;t unseat Myers, that's one less inning we have to out-hit them, and we know that's difficult already.

[metirish]

I always liked Geary, has good stuff but didn't have a great 07season, if he could get back to 06 form he'll be fine, I suppose both teams are hoping a change will do them all good.

[smg58]

Lidge had an excellent second half last year, and appeared to be back to his old self. If he can stay that way, it's a fantastic deal for the Phillies. Unfortunately.

Costanzo needs to cut down on the K's before he reaches the show; otherwise he'll probably be a Russ Branyan clone.

[Guest sharpie]

This deal works for both sides. 'Stros know they aren't going anywhere in the near future and the last thing a last (or near last) place team needs is a big-time closer. The three players from the Phils all have upside. The Phils, as has been noted earlier, get to move Myers back to the rotation and get someone who has had a lot of success in the pen plus Bruntlett who probably makes a mean pot of coffee.

[Frayed Knot]

Baseball Prospectus doesn't like this at all from a Phils side - but they're looking at it from the long-term and monatary points of view.
"Is {one year of Lidge} worth giving up two good prospects in the form of Michael Bourn and Mike Costanzo? No, and it isn’t close. "

But the Phils need to look at this for next year mainly and Lidge can certainly help them there. Although, as mentioned somewhere above, Bourn was thought to be part of the solution to their OF situation as he and Victorino were to cover CF & RF. Retaining Rowland, or a similar substitute, now becomes a bigger priority, especially if they intend to try and sell high on Burrell coming off that good 2nd half he had.

[Fman99]

smg58 wrote: Lidge had an excellent second half last year, and appeared to be back to his old self. If he can stay that way, it's a fantastic deal for the Phillies. Unfortunately. Costanzo needs to cut down on the K's before he reaches the show; otherwise he'll probably be a Russ Branyan clone.

When Lidge is off he's prone to the longball. I wonder if pitching in that bandbox might not get into his head at some point, the way Minute Maid Park can/did.

It's bad for the Mets IMHO but more directly because it puts Myers back into the rotation, where he is more effective and useful for them.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I'm thinking, "Well, they have Chris Coste. He seemed to be coming along OK"

Then I check bb-r.com and see he was 34 last year. What's that guy's story?

[metirish]

Long time minor league player that knew Manuel form when he was with that organization and Charlie remembered him when the Phillies needed a catcher.

Movie people are wanting to tell his story of struggle from the minors to the majors.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

He's the Luis Alen of the Phillies.

[Guest SI Metman]

Once again Philly looks to Houston for a closer. 2 more years until Lidge is a Met?

Lidge hasn't been the same since Pujols launched one into orbit in the 2005 NLCS, and I have a feeling there will be numerous blown saves on Broad St in 2008 if he is the closer.