Lidge a Phillie

[ValpoCory]

Any reason you don't think Victorino is?

or Jayson Werth.

[ValpoCory]

they just traded an elite closer

Lidge wasn't one the Top 10 closers in the National League last year.

http://www.rolaidsreliefman.com/

[hostros7]

It seems as if the Astros management has in recent years been able to find ways to plug the end of the bully so here's hoping it happens again.  Wagner, Elarton (although moved as a starter), Dotel, etc all seemed to depart at around the right time.  Best of luck to Brad, but I for one am I pleased with this trade and the needs it addressed.  The off season could be very strong if we add a solid bullpen arm (such as Linebrink) and a top 3 in the rotation starter.  Not sure what we can get for Scott, or what is really available to package with him, but it will be interesting to see what transpires.

[Bench]

This link is interesting. Phil's seemed quite content with Myers remaining in the closer role and were only looking at Bourne as a part-time OFer, probably not even in CF.  http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071105&content_id=2292609&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi

According to Crasnick, Myers will move to the starting rotation and Lidge will close.

http://sports.espn.go.com...nick_jerry&id=3099748

"The other call went to Brett Myers, who initially seemed resistant to relinquishing his job as Phillies closer to return to the starting rotation. But after listening to general manager Pat Gillick and manager Charlie Manuel explain the reasoning behind the trade, Myers is apparently on board.

"I've always been real close to Brett," Manuel said. "I've always trusted him, and I've always felt like he trusted me. At first I think it kind of surprised him. But Pat and I both talked to him, and we smoothed things out pretty good. He understood where we're going and why we did this."

[Bench]

Lidge wasn't one the Top 10 closers in the National League last year.

http://www.rolaidsreliefman.com/

The Phillies think he's a "premier closer"

From the same Crasnick article linked above:

"At the end of the year, our scouts saw him throwing the ball as well as he's ever thrown it," said Phillies assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. "Based on his pedigree and his history, that's good enough for us. He's still what we would consider a premier closer."

[ValpoCory]

The Phillies think he's a "premier closer"

From the same Crasnick article linked above:

"At the end of the year, our scouts saw him throwing the ball as well as he's ever thrown it," said Phillies assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. "Based on his pedigree and his history, that's good enough for us. He's still what we would consider a premier closer."

Well of course he considers him a premier closer.

[Burzmali]

Lidge wasn't one the Top 10 closers in the National League last year.

http://www.rolaidsreliefman.com/

Not the stats I would use to determine the ten best closers, but whatever works for you. Lidge is generally considered as an elite closer by "baseball people", isn't he?

[BudGirl]

The first deal Wade's done and people are pissing and moaning.  I like the deal.  Losing Lidge hurts the bullpen, but this team/park needs a true centerfielder.  This team to me is x times better with a centerfielder.  I've always been of the mind that bullpen guys come and go a bit more easily.  And something about Bourn I liked, I really didn't see Philly trading him.

I am wondering, at the current time, if Qualls starts the season as the closer but eventually gets moved to set-up man to allow for Nieve (assuming he is healthy) closing later in the season.  There were a lot of guys getting pitching time at the end of the season.

And you have to give something up to get something.

[PeteM]

"Costanzo"

Plus he can sell latex on the side (OK, it's a bit of a stretch)

[S.P. Rodriguez]

The first deal Wade's done and people are pissing and moaning.  I like the deal.  Losing Lidge hurts the bullpen, but this team/park needs a true centerfielder.  This team to me is x times better with a centerfielder.  I've always been of the mind that bullpen guys come and go a bit more easily.  And something about Bourn I liked, I really didn't see Philly trading him.

I am wondering, at the current time, if Qualls starts the season as the closer but eventually gets moved to set-up man to allow for Nieve (assuming he is healthy) closing later in the season.  There were a lot of guys getting pitching time at the end of the season.

And you have to give something up to get something.

I wondered the same about Qualls.  Here's Wade's comment:

"Qualls has done a quality job for us over the last couple of season," Wade said. "The numbers that he's put up in the role that he's been in have been outstanding, but whether or not he ends up being the answer on the back end remains to be seen."

http://sports.espn.go.com...mlb/news/story?id=3099599

So, maybe yes and maybe no?  Agree with you on the availability of bullpen arms.  They have a number of hard throwing pitchers available for the job.  Pravata has linked to the stories reporting Houston's interest in Cordero, which makes more sense now. 

People are going to bitch until they see tangible results.  I'm doing my best to ignore the B&M because, frankly, it lacks any real meaning or value.  So far, Wade has stuck to his plan, at least when you consider that there is very little talent in the free agent class of pitching.   As far as this particular trade, I think Geary will be serviceable.  Costanzo has a history of pitching, so maybe that's what they have in mind.  I doubt it, but if they ranked him the #3 prospect, he has to have some talent, no?  What I find ironic is the suspicion that the people bitching about this trade are the same ones who want Willy T. back.  I could be wrong but I think Bourn will be better.  I only watched him a half dozen times or so  but I think he hits with more power, has equal speed, and is by far a better outfielder (people seem to forget that Willy frequently left himself out of position to make a throw, which probably a factor in why so many people tried to run on him to begin with).  I never saw Bourn's arm tested but I think that can be overrated unless his arm strength is deficient. 

I also like that this effectively puts to rest the notion that Burke is their future 2B/Leadoff.  I'm not suggesting they throw Bourn into the leadoff immediately.  But Bourn is definitely a superior option to Burke.

[Tralfaz]

Well this is certainly an encouraging developement.  Added speed and athletism to the outfield basepaths and lead-off role.  Opened up some room fiancially.  A quality prospect at 3B for the Express (Hooks?), Added bully option.  No more uncertainty with Lidge and his much bemoaned stuff trusting.  C. Qualls and Sarfate bump up a chair.   Gain a trade pawn in Scott. 

[jaklewein]

Hell yes!  I'm stoked about this trade.  I like the "defense up the middle" philosophy.  From that perspective this deal fits.  I hate to lose Lidge, but you have to give to get...and if we can plug a hole on the team with a player under club control for the next several years, and do so with a soon to be FAgent, I'm all for it.  The $$$ part of the deal is what I like the most.  Hopefully this will give us flexiblity to add another nice piece, either in the rotation, at the backend of the bullpen or at 2B.

By the way...I liked the idea of signing Castillo prior to this trade (leadoff ability).  I don't know about anyone else, but with Bourn on board, I'm ready to call up Loretta and sign him as our fulltime second baseman.  Bourn-Loretta combo sounds B-E-A-U-tiful in front of Berkman-Lee-Pence.

[Jacksonian]

Minors perspective:  Wade drafted both Bourn and Costanzo in Philly so it's no surprise he's sees their potential as being very high.  Bourn was taken just a few spots before the Astros took Josh Anderson in the 03 draft.  There is no doubt in my mind that if Bourn had fallen to the Astros they would have taken him over Anderson.  Long-term the Astros are expecting Bourn to be better than Anderson.  Costanzo was a hot topic coming out of college.  I wanted the Astros to take him, but he was off the board by the time the Astros picked in the second round of 05.  There is still a question of how well he'll hit long-term.  But, he can get on base via walk so it's not just a matter of strike zone management.  His OBP has routinely been better the 70 higher than his batting average.  Still, his strikeout rate is in Jimerson/Santangelo territory.  If he can improve on that just a little (if just 10 of his K's had been hits he'd have hit .290 rather than .270 last season) he can be a mainstay at 3b for the Astros.  Side note, Ryan Howard had major strike out issues in the minors too, perhaps worse than Costanzo's.

[T. J.]

The $$$ part of the deal is what I like the most.  Hopefully this will give us flexiblity to add another nice piece, either in the rotation, at the backend of the bullpen or at 2B.

JdJO thinks this deal puts them squarely in the running for Dontrelle.  WTF?  (Not even going to add the link because the rest of the article was terrible.  Of course it mentioned Pujols/game 5 about 3 times in 5 paragraphs.)

[mihoba]

I like the trade, and I'm excited about having the fastest man in MLB patrolling center field.

[Ty in Tampa]

I like the deal. Giving up Lidge is tough but even just the possibility of going through the same thing with him they have the past 2 seasons is a tough gamble, and certainly one PhilliePhan should at least expect. Bourn is value for value.

[jaklewein]

I like the trade, and I'm excited about having the fastest man in MLB patrolling center field.

Is he really as fast as Wily T?  I thought that was just someone shooting from the hip when I read that.

[Jacksonian]

Is he really as fast as Wily T?  I thought that was just someone shooting from the hip when I read that.

When you get to that level of blur the difference's aren't worth noting.

[BudGirl]

That kid will be great if he gets on base.  I can't wait to watch the potential stolen bases.  Stolen bases are so much freaking fun.

[lc_db]

That kid will be great if he gets on base.  I can't wait to watch the potential stolen bases.  Stolen bases are so much freaking fun.

It's not just stolen bases either...

It's the first to third.

It's the possible triple instead of a stand-up double.

It's the hurried infield throw on ground balls.

Speed kills...