Phillies Acquire Brad Lidge For Michael Bourn

As a Phillies fan I think I'm happy about the trade. I become happier if we re-sign Rowand, otherwise our outfield starts to feel a bit thin (Burrell, Vic, Werth... then Roberson? eeeew)... but I think Lidge is an improvement over many (most) of the people in our pen.

He could capably close (as I am not of the opinion that he has gone down the tubes yet), moving Myers back in the rotation (Myers would be the better closer, however, I think the Phillies would be worse off with Myers closing and a crap pitcher starting once every five days). Or Philly could acquire another quality starting pitcher and keep Myers closing and all of a sudden the bullpen looks rather solid.

Then again, this could be one of those deals like Garcia where everything looks decent on paper during the off-season... but then becomes this huge disaster everyone wants to forget.

On the other hand, the Astros get Bourn who is a great fielder and a magician on the base paths. He is still young and his hitting is a bit raw. But give him a few years and I think that will sort out quite nicely. He definitely has the potential to be a great player.

Reasons I like the trade as a Astros fan:
(1) Most astros fans (and players, and management) have totally lost faith in Lidge. He needs a fresh start.
(2) The team got younger.
(3) The team won't spend big bucks on a free agent CF.
(4) Lidge is a free agent after 2008 and his value would only decrease.
(5) Lidge will make in the $6 million range this year. This money can now be allocated elsewhere.
(6) Costanzo improves the Astros' farm system.

Ultimately, I think Wade might have been able to get a little more from another club. But maybe he couldn't have, and considering we are trading 1 year of Lidge and an arbitration-eligible utility guy for 5 years of Bourn, 6 years of Costanzo, and a decent middle reliever, I think its a win.

Lidge helps the Phillies in 2007, so I don't think it is a total loss for them. Moving Myers back to the rotation can't be underestimated. A lot depends on what they do about the vacant OF slot. But this trade plugs 2 holes (SP and RP) while only creating 1 (OF).

With Luke Scott likely available via trade, I wonder if the Cubs will consider him as an option for right field. It's be noted that they'll be looking for a left handed outfielder and Scott fits that.

Ya, I like this deal for Houston actually. Lidge is good, but he's still just a closer. Bourn might become a very good CF and is cheap for another 5 years. That's a big difference in value to me. The Phillies could have just signed Francisco Cordero (not as good as Lidge, but okay) and still moved Myers to the rotation. Now they're forced to pay more money for their OF too.

For the Stros, they filled CF, can just go and sign Cordero if they want, and have another chip to deal with in Scott.

Geez, as a Twins fan, if Lidge gets you Bourn, what does Nathan get you? Wow.

It's huge to get Myers back in the rotation, but I still don't give up an everyday CF who is cheap for a closer.

As I said, if Lidge gets you Bourn, what the heck does Joe Nathan get you? And the Twins have a Neshek to step right in for Nathan. Bill Smith should be on the phones NOW.

And I personally don't think Bourn has much upside. That said, he's probably 2 WAR in CF as it stands, and that's not a bad thing at all to control for five years.

Lofton has a career .287 EqA. He was a hell of a player in his prime. Bourn might have that kind of ceiling, but in terms of upside that's not really realistic in my opinion. Taveras is a good comp. Nate Silver just said he's what "Juan Pierre's supposed to be" which made me laugh.

Not familiar with Astros needs - what would it take from the cubs to get Scott? Guzman/Ohman/Cedeno get it done or do the cubs have to lose a Gallagher type prospect. Maybe throw in Fox or Murton? ( I am more of a Pagan fan the Murton so would like to keep him )

Michael Bourn isn't that good. He's fast and is more of a stopgap CF solution. But considering its only 1 high priced year of Lidge, the Phillies gave up some good depth in the three players. But in terms of next year, it helps the Phillies much mroe, who sorely needed pitching.

It's nice to see that Ed Wade hasn't lost his insatiable desire for Juan Pierre. Check out his draft record in Philly: Chris Roberson, Michael Bourn, Greg Golson.

I do like the fact that Brad Lidge will be in a Phillies uniform. When he has his stuff, he is a top tier closer. Although, I personally think that Myers was getting real comfortable as a closer.

Overall, this is a win for the Philllies and a good move by Gillick. Myers as a SP is a better option than Lohse and Silva.

It stinks to see Bourn go because he was a sold defensive replacement and basestealer but emerging as a hitter too. Although, Victorino is a better version with more pop and has 20 homer potential. Im happy to see they did not trade the Flyin Hawaiian.

Good start to the offseason boys...I like it.

I hung out with Geary last spring in Clearwater, he was a real cool guy and was fed up with Phillies management back then. It's no surprise to me that he's gone. He has gotten rocked lately, but he does have good stuff and I wouldn't count him out as being somewhat of a sleeper in this trade for Houston.

Great move by the Phils, and I like Bourn as much as anyone. But even if Bourn turns into Kenny Lofton in his prime - which, talk about a longshot - he won't be pitching late in games, which is what the Phillies desperately needed last year.

Of course, I'll have to change my damn login now.

I really like this deal for the Astros perspective.

Not only do they get Bourn to fill the CF lead-off man spot they've needed since trading Willy Tavares, this deal eliminates the need to get another payroll-busting FA CF.

Lidge was still mentally scarred from the Pujols homer and to get this return for a shaky $6M closer in his last year before FA is better than we could have hoped for.

I expect the Astros will sign Linebrink to replace Lidge.

Costanzo may be the real gem in this deal over time.

Josh Anderson might be a good outfielder, but he's not ready yet. He might take Luke Scott's place if they deal him.

Also, I really doubt Scott will be traded for a reliever. He'd be part of a deal for a starter or he could come back and platoon.

trust me, Costanzo and gem do not belong in the same sentence. if the Astros win this trade, and it is certainly possible, it will be because of Bourn and nobody else.

I like it from both teams' perspectives. Lidge could be dynamite, but at worst he's no poorer than Tom Gordon would be. I think Bourn is a poor man's Tavares, he'll never hit above .290 AVG, and he'll hover around .275.

Costanzo, at age 24 and a strikeout machine can't play regularly unless he improves his defense and learns to hit A LOT of home runs; his forte is not contact.

As far as Golson being a year away... the guy has done pretty poorly in A ball, it's kind of tough to guage right now whether he even projects to the MLB.

With two pitchers who are dependable for sub-4.00 ERAs, the Phillies staff is anchored well, especially if at least one of them can throw a sub-3.50 ERA. If they can add another pitcher who can post something around a 4.25 ERA or lower, the #4 and #5 guy combination from Moyer, Kendrick, Eaton, Mathieson can be considered decent depth.

I guess one can consider Bruntlett kind of equatable to Abraham Nunez?

Bruntlett is extremely versitile defensively but offensively he's below average. He has absolutely no power or base stealing ability.

@ Darin: Yep, that sounds about like Abe right there.

Maybe I did get presumptuous with Golston

WHIPit:

You obviously didnt go back and read my response to you regarding the Astros 2B situation. I defended my reasoning in there.

As for this trade:

-Lidge NEEDED to go? Lidge has 5 full seasons in the league and had 1 bad season in '06. 2 seasons were lights out stats, and 2 others were very good stats. Sorry for liking a guy who has been a valuable asset for the majority of his career!

And the Astros didnt need to be talking with Hunter and Rowand in the first place. Lee/Pence/Scott is just fine in the OF. Dont know why the 'Stros are so sour on Scott. He may have been a late bloomer but for the last 3 years in the minors and majors, he's been doing his job at every stop he's had to make.

So by losing Lidge our bullpen takes a large step back this season and a likely draft pick next year (I think he does well and earns the Phils an A pick). We acquired (IMO) a 1 dimensional speed demon in Bourn when we had that in Josh Anderson (Kenny Lofton people? Really?). Geary is trash, and Costanzo has some upside, but is still VERY raw at this point.

For those interested in what my plan for the Astros would be, I'm at the bottom of the page posting as cordscords- http://www.fantasybaseballcafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=316305&start=10

You want Milton Bradley in that locker room? Your post was pretty good up until then.

hats, I think he could be part of a package with frequent trade partner (although they have a new GM) Texas for Blalock, or with the O's for Mora. He just seems like the classic, first time around the league having success guy to me. If he comes down to earth, that trade value plummets with him.

hats- it was my first post so maybe i'll do better the next few times. bradley is a competitor, an asshole, and a great talent. but i also tend to think most professional sports players are assholes too. big deal? as far as kendrick. he scares me because i think he has pitched over his head but your right, no one will give any value in return and he is an alright back of the rotation option.

That doesn't overstate anything. I quoted Geary's projection and Costanzo's offensive abilities. Note that Branyan's not exactly Brooks Robinson at 3B.

He may not stick there. I understand that He's a AA 3B who's not so hot with the glove. However, he can take a walk, hit a homer and strike out, that's all I said.