The Phils nabbed Brad Lidge from the Astros today, proving that Ed Wade will always haunt this franchise. It's not a bad acquisition in theory, given how Lidge has kinda sorta bounced back from his Pujols-induced nightmares in the 2005 NLCS. The bullpen definitely needed an upgrade, and I'm even thinking Brett Myers could be getting another crack at the rotation, as somehow Gillick failed to pursue all the over-40 SP free agents out there.
But as admirable as the GM's restraint was in terms of sign-and-pray old fogies, what the Phillies gave up in this Lidge deal doesn't make a lot of sense:
- Geoff Geary: hands down the best part of the deal; a change of scenery might rejuvenate him, but I don't think he was ever going to return to form in Philly
- Michael Bourn: people knew that the Phillies had some outfield assets, but I always thought Bourn was the least likely to be traded since, you know, Aaron Rowand is technically a free agent and the Phils would have no other centerfielder?
And wasn't there a general consensus that Rowand was playing way over his head this past season? The Gold Glove and career-high offensive stats were nice, but doesn't this pretty much send the signal that the Phillies are banking on re-signing him? Very shrewd, Mr. Gillick, very shrewd indeed. Enjoy your money, Aaron; you earned it this past year at least.
- Michael Costanzo: when I woke up this morning, the first thing I thought was, "Gee, I really hope my favorite baseball team trades its best offensive prospect at its weakest infield position for a white Abe Nunez that specializes at a position occupied by a legit MVP candidate"; man, I'm so glad Costanzo's lame-ass AA stats (.270, 27 HR, 86 RBI) are gone now.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this trade a Ron Gant.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
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