Phillies Acquire Brad Lidge

The Phillies struck first in the Orlando GM meetings when they traded Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary, and Mike Costanzo to the Astros for Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett. It feels like the Phillies gave up a lot in this trade, as Costanzo was one of their top prospects (though that's not saying much with the Phillies' farm system) and Bourn looked very promising in limited playing time, but the trade should significantly upgrade the Phillies' pitching. Lidge has not been the same dominant closer ever since Albert Pujols took him deep in the 2005 NLCS, but in the second half of last year he seemed to settle down and looked a lot like his old self.

Even if Lidge never returns to his pre-Pujols form, he should be an improvement on Brett Myers. With Myers, it was feast or famine. Either he had his best stuff and he would dominate the opposition, or he would self-destruct. In the end, he posted a 2.87 ERA as a reliever and converted 21 saves in 24 chances, which is very respectable, but the Phillies badly needed starting pitching and this was the best way to acquire it. With Curt Schilling re-signing with the Red Sox, there is not likely to be anyone worthwhile available on the free agent market. If anything, the Phillies would have wound up overpaying for a mediocre pitcher, as they did with Adam Eaton last year. Lidge only has one year left on his contract, so if he does not work out as a closer, they can let him go after one season, send Myers back to the 'pen, and improve the rotation either with minor leaguers (perhaps Scott Mathieson will be ready) or through free agency (it can't be that bad two years in a row).

One thing to keep an eye on is whether Andy Pettitte becomes available. With Joe Torre out in New York, Pettitte could very well follow him out the door and he would be great fit for the Phillies. Their rotation would be Cole Hamels, Pettitte, Myers, Moyer, and Kendrick, which would potentially be among the best in the NL and if nothing else it would be a substantial upgrade from the likes of Eaton, Kyle Lohse, and J.D. Durbin. With the Phillies' offense, even a slight pitching upgrade, could be enough to put them over the edge and retake the NL East. The Phillies would probably have to overpay for Pettitte, but as his age it's hard to imagine him wanting a very long deal, so what's one year and $16 million if the Phillies believe it can buy them a pennant?