Comments on: Hot Offseason Action: Philadelphia Phillies

By: Bill B.

Bill B. — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:34:59 +0000

That’s a 131 ERA-plus, by the way. That\’s ERA measured against the league average and adjusted for ballpark factors.

By: Bill B.

Bill B. — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:33:38 +0000

As someone who has seen the ascent of Michael Bourn, he is, almost to a T, a Willy Taveras clone. The Phillies have Willy Taveras Squared in Greg Golson, but he might not be Major League ready until next season, and more likely 2010.

The biggest lost in the Lidge trade was Mike Costanzo, who was, by most accounts, the Phillies’ third baseman of the future. And we know how much third base has been a struggle following the Mike Schmidt era for the Phillies besides a few Scott Rolen seasons.

Brad Lidge gets a bad rap for having “a fragile psyche.” It’s akin to the argument that David Eckstein or Aaron Rowand are awesome because they’re “gritty.” Lidge put up a 131 ERA , struck out 88 batters in 67 innings, and put up a WHIP of 1.254 last season. Not too shabby, right?

Acquiring Lidge was the key move of the offseason for Gillick because it effectively gave the Phillies what was then the best starter acquisition by moving Brett Myers back to the bullpen. Of course, then we saw Dan Haren and Johan Santana get moved, and an Erik Bedard deal is oh so close (and the Phillies couldn’t even begin to dream about putting together a package for them).

I give the Phillies an A for their off-season moves. And before you call me out for being biased, remember, I’m the guy who campaigned for David Wright over Jimmy Rollins for MVP. :)

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By: xfactor

xfactor — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:57:09 +0000

Michael Bourn is better than people think.

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By: Coley Ward

Coley Ward — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:03:20 +0000

Beginning the season with Brad Lidge as the closer is indeed a bit risky, because … you know … he’s Brad Lidge. It gets riskier when you consider how few options the Phillies have should Lidge falter. They’ve already stated that Myers won’t be moved to the bullpen, regardless. So that leaves them with JC Romero — who got CUT last season — and Tom Gordon, who is clearly nearing the end of the line.

As you point out, trading for Brad Lidge wasn’t risky, since the Phils didn’t give up much. But entering the season with no obvious back up plan should Lidge not survive the boobirds seems like a bold move to me.

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By: Sarah Green

Sarah Green — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:04:21 +0000

Coley, a fourth outfielder and a couple of midlevel prospects for a closer is not a high-risk move. Sure, there’s the chance Lidge won’t work out. But if that’s so, the Phillies would still have time to try and get a better closer at the trade deadline. I think that’s a low-risk, high-reward move.

You’re right about Brett Myers, though. He does have a formidable one-two punch.

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