Astros and Phillies Pull Trigger

by initram on Nov 7, 2007 9:53 PM CST

Bruce Levine reported that Brad Lidge goes to the Phillies.

I know that the Astros were looking to sign Cordero.

"The Phillies sent outfielder Michael Bourn, pitcher Geoff Geary and minor leaguer Mike Costanzo to Houston, and received infielder Eric Bruntlett in addition to Lidge.

The teams scheduled an announcement Wednesday night at the general managers meetings in Orlando."

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

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This make

Luke Scott expendable for the Astros...he should be cheap and has put up solid numbers in 2 years. Plus this makes Houston all that much weaker to contend with in the NL Central.

This trade really perplexes me....they got very little for Lidge here...weird deal.

D-LEE!

by airweino on Nov 7, 2007 10:57 PM CST reply actions

I thought the Astros got jobbed

They think that Bourn is going to be a spark at the top of the order and man CF while they move Pence to RF.

Bourn seems like an OK player, but his minor league numbers are nothing impressive. Geary seems like an acceptable middle reliever.

Costanzo appears to be a big power guy, but he just finished a year at AA.

I'm a little confused. I would've assumed that the Astros would've gotten better, more proven, talent for Brad Lidge.

by WittyUserName on Nov 8, 2007 1:20 AM CST reply actions

Maybe I'm wrong

The word is that Bourn is a great glove in CF and can steal tons of bags. And Costanzo was a solid prospect who had a down year.

It still seems like the Astros are taking a risk. The two 'Marquee' players they got (Bourn and Costanzo) have little to none MLB experience. You'd think they'd want a top-flight prospect if they were going to go that route.

by WittyUserName on Nov 8, 2007 1:26 AM CST up reply actions

The Phillies took a risk, too.

Lidge has been poor at closer since the HR Pujols hit off him in the NLCS.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Nov 8, 2007 2:37 AM CST up reply actions

Yes and No

His 2006 was awful, true. But Lidge in 2007, while not spectacular, wasn't bad at all, he's ERA was in the mid 3's I believe.

I'd be curious to see how Lidge would do outside of Minute Maid, but it's not like moving to Citizen's Bank is really going to help him out either. But with the Phillies offense handing him leads as opposed to the Astros offense... I can see him having a pretty big bounce-back year.

I just never write-off relievers who have a bad year. And injury is one thing, but relievers effectiveness ebbs and flows more than anyone else in baseball.

Lidge may never be the Lidge 'pre-Pujols bomb' again. But I'm sure he'll be a good closer for the majority of the remainder of his career.

by WittyUserName on Nov 8, 2007 3:57 PM CST up reply actions

Lidge

It doesn't seem like alot for Brad Lidge, but remember Brad Lidge has sucked as a closer the last two years.

So I dunno how high his value was, and he's also a free agent at the end of the season. I think this was a good trade for both teams. The Astros no longer wanted Lidge, and got a new leadoff hitter, and saved cash to sign a new closer.

The Phillies get a new closer, and improve their rotation by putting Bret Myers back there.

by cubsfan25 on Nov 8, 2007 1:50 AM CST reply actions

Hometown hero

Bourn was born in Houston, attended HS in Irving, and played at the University of Houston.

Costanzo gives you LH power at 3B.

I think Houston made a good deal, but it won't help them in 2008.

Geo! (clap-clap-clap) Soto! (clap-clap-clap)

by cubzfan on Nov 8, 2007 7:24 AM CST reply actions

All I know

Is that despite that absolute BOMB that Pujols hit against Lidge it has affected how Lidge pitches against the Cubs. Hopefully this helps the Cubs here or there.

Hey.....Cubs win!!! Steve Stone is the most overrated scumbag in the business.

by Hammer on Nov 8, 2007 10:19 AM CST reply actions