Phils Extend Brad Lidge with 3-Year Deal
Now here's some great news, Phillies fans. The team has inked closer Brad Lidge to a 3-year extension worth $37.5 million, with performance incentives and a 2012 club option.
Lidge has been lights-out, closing everything that's come his way through the first half of the season and anchoring the NL's best bullpen. His off-season acquisition for Michael Bourn et al may go down as the best move of Pat Gillick's tenure in Philly, as it helped to transform the late-inning arms into one of the team's greatest strengths.
Lidge came to Philly with a lot to put behind him and a lot to prove in his new scenery. After watching him dominate, then severely struggle in Houston, we liked the acquisition, but weren't so sure how it would pan out. Well, Lidge has bested our highest expectations to the tune of 19 saves, ZERO blown saves, 47 strikeouts in 35 innings, a 0.77 ERA, and a 1.05 WHIP. Keep it up, Lidge. This town loves a great closer.
About time the ownership locks up a key guy up before we lose him. Does this mean Myers is gone now?
Posted by: tommyd | Sunday, July 06, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Awesome.
Posted by: Benjamin | Sunday, July 06, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Now, let's lock up Burrell!
Posted by: ron | Sunday, July 06, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Great unexpected news on a Sunday morning. Lidge has been the best closer in baseball this year. Nice to see Pat Gillick is still busy.
Posted by: enrico | Sunday, July 06, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Hey Enrico, ever hear of a guy named Rivera in the Bronx??? I might consider him the best
Posted by: Justin | Sunday, July 06, 2008 at 01:48 PM
I'd call it even, as neither has blown a save this year. Mo has a higher ERA and a lower WHIP than Lidge, but it's splitting hairs somewhat because both have been definitely lights out.
Posted by: Matt P | Sunday, July 06, 2008 at 01:53 PM
great now we can trade myers and lock up pat the bat
Posted by: jut | Sunday, July 06, 2008 at 02:27 PM
Who would trade for Brett Myers?
Seriously.
Posted by: Kulp | Sunday, July 06, 2008 at 02:44 PM
My little league team could use him
Posted by: John | Sunday, July 06, 2008 at 04:50 PM
Any team looking for bullpen help would take Myers, provided we offered to pay a bit of his last year...
-or-
We could keep Myers, and not sign Flash next year (I think his contract runs out this year) since he seems to be out of bullets, and use Myers as a bridge to Lidge, and potential closer should Lidge go down.
I like plan B better, really, since Myers is proven out of the 'pen. Let the man do what he does best: throw one inning four times a week like his hair is on fire.
As for this year.. I just don't see Myers as mentally and emotionally mature enough to be able to focus on moving back into a starter's role. Sucks for us but at least he's not Rod Barajas and has SOME worth.
Posted by: Loqiel | Sunday, July 06, 2008 at 10:18 PM
How can anyone be certain that moving Myers to the bullpen is a definite solution? That's obviously what should happen, but I'm not even remotely convinced that he will all of a sudden give a team quality innings.
For a trade to become an option, the Phillies need to put him in the bullpen immediately. Nobody is going to be interested without some visual evidence showing he can still pitch.
Of course, if Myers comes back and has success, I agree that he should stay to take on Trash Gordon's role. That's a big if though.
Posted by: Kulp | Monday, July 07, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Is there anyone out there who kinda wishes that Gillick held on to Costanzo and Bourne (our futures at center and third)? I love how lights out Lidge is, but the thought of still having Myers out of the pen (assuming he pitches like he did the end of last year) and still have those two guys may be more enticing than having Lidge. Am I wrong?
Once again, no disrespect to Brad Lidge, the man is amazing.
Posted by: Jonn | Monday, July 07, 2008 at 12:18 AM
John, I'll admit, I was initially skeptical about the Lidge trade. Now it appears we actually got the better end of the deal.
Bourn has struggled mightily as everyday player. His average is only .218, which puts him somewhere between Ruiz and Howard. Imagine adding that to our current everyday lineup. Bottom line, I'm much happier with Victorino in center and the possibility of Burrell in left for a few more seasons.
Costanzo appeared to be a nice prospect, but he isn't exactly a sure thing. Ed Wade unloaded him over the winter in the deal for Tejada, and he's the numskull that chose him in the first place. Bottom line, the guy is hitting .239 in Triple A.
For the price of a track star and a prospect, the Phils got a much better closer than Myers could ever dream of being.
Posted by: Kulp | Monday, July 07, 2008 at 12:33 AM