Astros trade Lidge

by Brett Perryman on Nov 7, 2007 11:44 PM CST in News Comment 24 comments

Ed Wade turned to his old club for his first big deal, as Houston dealt Brad Lidge and utility guy Eric Bruntlett to Philadelphia for Michael Bourn, Mike Costanzo and Geoff Geary.

Bourn looked like he had some potential as a top of the order spark plug, putting up a .277/.348/.378 line with 18 steals in 19 attempts and a solid 13/21 BB/SO ratio. The catch was that he played in a very protected role (he was with the team the whole season and I count 14 games in which he had three or more plate appearances) after making the jump to the majors.

Geary took a bit of a step back from a couple of solid years in the middle of the Philly pen, and Costanzo gives the Astros another opportunity to fill the 3B hole after a solid season in the Eastern League that puts him on the major league radar.

It sounds like the acquisition of Lidge allows Brett Myers to slide back into the rotation, and without delving too far into the Phillies depth chart, I am thinking that this will drive the Phillies to look a little harder for an outfielder with Aaron Rowand due for big bucks in free agency. On the other hand Houston was said to be one of the big players in the centerfielder market, so from the Rangers perspective this is no less than a wash, and it could be a plus if Philly looks to Shane Victorino in CF and looks to the outside to fill RF instead.

The Houston pen will of course look very different from recent years, with Lidge following Dan Wheeler out of town.

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Scott

Does this mean Luke Scott will be traded? I think Houston could have done better, just don't see this deal really helping them much.

This winter's hot stove will resemble an Easy-Bake oven.

by t ball on Nov 8, 2007 12:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

well

does this help or hurt my fantasy team?

when was the last time an astro stole 35+ bases?

by knockoutking24 on Nov 8, 2007 1:43 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

i have

bourne

by knockoutking24 on Nov 8, 2007 1:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We don't care

eom

Sideshow ... onto 800. You can do it!

by Chase Irwin on Nov 8, 2007 9:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

3B

The Philies really need to do something about 3B, and I was hoping that the Rangers could possibly get some prospects for Blalock. Gillick is a pretty conservative guy, so I don't know if he will make another trade such as this (win now). As a bubble team (who knows if the Mets will have another historic meltdown - so the Philies are not a lock for the playoffs), each marginal win costs more and more. This means giving out more money/years to a freeagent, or giving up more in a trade. This is why I think the Rangers could get a nice return in a trade for Blalock. However, I can't think of another bubble team that needs a 3B as badly as the Philies (the Yankees have bigger issues than 3B, and Boston will be just fine without Lowell - should he decide to leave). So, if Blalock were to be traded, the best return would probably be with the Philies. If Gillick is going to stand pat, then just keep Blalock and see what happens.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Nov 8, 2007 8:22 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

What would we get

from the Phillies for Blalock? I dont see them filling a whole lot of our holes.

by Nichols22 on Nov 8, 2007 8:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Their big bullet now is Carrasco, and I don't see them giving him for Blalock. Positionally I don't see them being able to do a lot for us.

by Brett Perryman on Nov 8, 2007 8:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I would be very interested

in trying to pry Brett Myers away from them.

I wonder if maybe they'd consider trading him now that Lidge is on board, or if they're dedicated to giving him another shot in the rotation.

He's got ace stuff.

Ben Franklin. Gandhi. Jackie Robinson. Winston Churchill. Martin Luther King. Jesus Christ. And now... Dwyade!!!

by thedirkatron on Nov 8, 2007 10:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

From what I've heard

they are going to make him the #2 behind Hamels.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Nov 8, 2007 9:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Young Talent

I would assume that Daniels would trade for younger players with potential, much like the deals with Atlanta and Boston. Thus, the added organizational depth would make it easier to trade with other teams for players who does fill a hole with the Rangers. In short, Daniels would acquire trade ammo.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Nov 8, 2007 8:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I see a bit of a difference

in the deadline deals and potentially trading Blalock. For one, Gagne and Mahay were both FAs to be and they were facing a situation with Teixeira where they knew they would lose him and lose a huge asset. With Blalock I'm not sure that you feel the same way.

Also, they traded with two incredibly deep organizations who could handle the shot of losing several solid prospects. Philedelphia - especially after doing this Lidge deal - really has to be careful about that. If they dealt us multiple guys like Carrasco, Cardenas, Marsdon, etc., they would cripple their development system.

by Brett Perryman on Nov 8, 2007 8:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and, additionally

Blalock could very well have a lot more value if he comes back healthy and has a hot first half (as he's done in other seasons). A Blalock with a .900 first half OPS would be a hell of a trade chip. A Blalock that hasn't played 3B recently is not as valuable. If (and it's a big if) they're going to trade him I can't see it happening before July.

This winter's hot stove will resemble an Easy-Bake oven.

by t ball on Nov 8, 2007 9:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Blalock

I wonder how the club views Blalock. He is under contract for one more year, and an option year. That puts him under Ranger control through 2009. This is also the year that Grant seems to think that the Rangers will start being competitive. If 2009 is the start of a competitive team, what do you do with Blalock? Do you extend him? Do you go with an in-house option? I don't know myself what I would do (where I the GM), but I figured that the Philies might be willing overpay this year. As you previously mentioned, they already gave up some organizational depth, which is why I doubt a trade with them will happen. It was just wishful thinking on my behalf.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Nov 8, 2007 10:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Makes it feel like a swap of Laird for Crisp

would take more than Laird to get it done.

Colbert/Colbert '08

by rooster on Nov 8, 2007 9:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yup

But how much more is the question.

If it was Laird and a mediocre prospect, I'm all for it.

If it's Laird plus Kiker or someone similar, I want nothing to do with it.

And, like I keep saying, Crisp isn't all that different from Corey Patterson, who won't cost you any prospects at all, just cash.

Ben Franklin. Gandhi. Jackie Robinson. Winston Churchill. Martin Luther King. Jesus Christ. And now... Dwyade!!!

by thedirkatron on Nov 8, 2007 10:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and

Corey Patterson probably costs less cash than Crisp too. I really don't get why people are falling all over Crisp

by bushe on Nov 8, 2007 11:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Corey Patterson ought to cost less

he's a 4th OF, at best.

"I promise, if elected, I will crush the state of Georgia" - Stephen Colbert www.colbert08.org

by DJCahill on Nov 8, 2007 11:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Crisp

Because he plays a great defensive CF, which is something that would greatly affect the pitching staff.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Nov 8, 2007 12:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I get that

But Corey Patterson plays a very good center field (the limited stats I've seen have Patterson being a notch below Crisp this year, but still good), has just as much potential with the bat, will probably cost less in terms of dollars, and we don't have to trade anyone to get him.

And yet people seem to be drooling all over themselves at the thought of trading for Crisp, and laugh at me when I suggest Patterson.

Ben Franklin. Gandhi. Jackie Robinson. Winston Churchill. Martin Luther King. Jesus Christ. And now... Dwyade!!!

by thedirkatron on Nov 9, 2007 10:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I may be prejudiced against Patterson

for the years he played OF in Chicago when I was up there. I saw him play around a dozen games in Wrigley, and he just wasn't very good defensively. Poor reads/jumps offset his speed.

Now, I suppose there is a chance he was much better this year, but I just didn't watch him. However, I saw nothing that suggested he was elite defensively, and he certainly is a tremendous slouch with the bat.

If we can get him for an NRI, then I have no problem with it, but I certainly wouldn't give anything of significance for him.

"I promise, if elected, I will crush the state of Georgia" - Stephen Colbert www.colbert08.org

by DJCahill on Nov 9, 2007 10:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

His numbers

indicate that he is anything but elite.

by badradiorules on Nov 9, 2007 11:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

While were throwing ridiculous ones out there

the Twins are willing to trade Matt Garza lets trade Blalock for him.

On a serious note, Id have a whole lot of interest in Garza, I just dont know if we'd have the package, especially considering the names that are being thrown around now.

by Nichols22 on Nov 8, 2007 10:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Roger

watch him come and close for the astros.

"Jon Daniels is going to end up being the best thing to ever happen to the Texas Rangers." - me, a long time ago...

by Longhorn on Nov 8, 2007 12:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

FWIW

The trade was not bad at all. Sure they're giving up a possible light's out reliever, but just like us and Coco, the guy needs a change of scenery or else he'll be the same old unpredictable timebomb.

And Bourn's not going to hit much, but there's not a lot of CFers out there that would hit a ton unless you believe Andruw can somehow regain previous form. Plus Bourn's a local kid for whatever that's worth. they'll have an all Texas OF (counting Lee's ranch north of Houston)

One thing is for certain, their bull-pen needs a complete renovation and their rotation has a lot of if's in there. Backe's health, is Wandy a career #4 or is he better, Sampson's second full year, and is Patton ready for the big-time? A lot of things can go right for them, but usually when you count on all of those if's it all ends in tears. Exhibit A: 2007 Texas Rangers

Yeah, well at least I'm housebroken.

by HypoLuxa on Nov 8, 2007 12:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs