7:20pm: "At this point I probably could have taken some offers," said Lidge to MLB.com's Paul Hagen, who notes that the right-hander hopes to make a decision soon. "At the same time, they weren't quite right for me … There are a lot of teams that want you to be there in case their young guys doesn't do well — to be a setup guy. And that's great. We'll kind of see how that plays out. That might be what I have to do."
11:43am: The Phillies remain in touch with Brad Lidge and the Angels are on the periphery, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Rockies are not on Lidge, he adds.
Lidge, 35, posted a 1.40 ERA, 10.7 K/9, 6.1 BB/9, and 57.4% groundball rate with no home runs allowed in 19 1/3 innings for the Phillies last year. His season began in July after recovery from a shoulder injury, and the former flamethrower was down to 89 miles per hour for his average fastball.
impressive that he had a K rate above 10 despite throwing less than 90mph. Hopefully as he fully recovers from the surgery his velocity will increase, and walk rate will come down. He could be a very good buy low option.
Those stats make him seem alot better than he was last year. At one point he managed to walk a guy home to win, and next game hit a batter to score walkoff win.
He had his command problems last year post-surgery.
he definitely had control problems last year, but you’re misremembering. he had two losses and they were more than a month apart. his slider was still pretty devastating when he was ahead in the count.
The first walk tied the game so he didn’t get the lose, but still blew it.
He rarely got ahead in the count though due to his command.
Still misremembering. He didn’t blow any leads last year. The game he hit Gomes was the game after Ryan Madson gave up that Grand Slam to Zimmerman. (which muffed up Madson’s WHIP ERA).
All he did was throw sliders, pretty much had zero faith in his fastball. Looks like an injury or complete control breakdown waiting to happen. Funny guys keep chasing that slider though.
He had trouble locating the fastball – actually could locate the slider better.
Wish I could find the article…but Lidge’s slider was mentioned as one of the top single pitches in MLB history. Not TOP top obviously, with guys like Ryan, Mo, Verlander, Maddux…but to even hear it mentioned was a shock. It just breaks so friggin late, guys can’t lay off it – reminds me of how guys always said they KNEW Hoffman was going to throw a changeup and it didn’t matter, you’d still swing early.
Yeah it’s all about that slider – it’s still sick, and no other slider in the bigs breaks that way.
I wouldn’t mind seeing the Angels snag Lidge… he provides depth, and could possibly step in as closer if Walden struggles again. At the very least, he could help serve as a mentor. He makes more sense than Ryan Madson, IMO…
And a lot less money, too. I’m with you, Lidge would be okay.
I watch him every inning of every game last year and I can tell you he can never close again. he doesn’t have the stuff.
His fastball isn’t fast enough anymore to throw people off of his
slider. He got such a high K rate because he has less control and more
unpredictable, which looks good in stats, but fails as much as he
succeeds.
Agreed.
Lidge is too weak minded to be a closer. Just say no!
I wouldn’t mind seeing the Angels snag Lidge… he provides depth, and could possibly step in as closer if Walden struggles again. At the very least, he could help serve as a mentor. He makes more sense than Ryan Madson, IMO…
All 30 teams should be in on this guy if he’s looking for a 1-year deal to prove he’s healthy. Sure he walks a tonne, but he’s still a solid reliever with the chance to be a great one again. Shame he’s lost 6mph in the last 4 years.
If the Angels didn’t have to spend much, Lidge would be a good idea. I’m convinced that the only thing Walden lacks is a competent mentor…a guy who’s been there before.
I think, at this point, that’s the most valuable attribute Lidge has, as a mentor.
It sure isn’t as a pitcher.
Wouldn’t be a bad addition and he could be a solid 7th inning guy or even set-up..Unless Madson lowers his price to reasonable money for his level, and Madson would like to set-up..Then i’d take Madson..I just know for a fact that Angels will sign another RP before season starts..
I’d love to have Lidge back under 2 million. He’s a good 7th inning guy and his slider is still nasty. Plus he’s just a great guy.
If he’s cheap enough, I think he’d be a solid addition, if they can’t sign Wood or Madson.
I think the Royals should bring him in to be the 6th inning guy… Lidge, Broxton, Holland should be able to get the Royals to Soria. The rotation will be handing the ball over in the 6th more often than not.
I think the Royals should bring him in to be the 6th inning guy… Lidge, Broxton, Holland should be able to get the Royals to Soria. The rotation will be handing the ball over in the 6th more often than not.