Originally Posted on 11/8/07The Hot Stove Winter in Baseball is officially under way and the first of many trades has been completed. The two teams involved are the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies. The names involved weren't much of a shocker but the value exchanging hands was!
Let's breakdown the deal which sent a former All-Star Closer in Brad Lidge along with backup middle infielder, Eric Bruntlett to the Phillies for what many feel to be a 4th Outfielder in speedster Michael Bourn, a marginal right-handed reliever Geoff Geary and a minor league 3b named Mike Costano that wasn't good enough to be considered the future Phillies 3b (which is their biggest off-season need) to the Houston Astros.
Well, Ed Wade (new GM of the Astros), what were you thinking? This is your first move and look what you did! I'm sure your predecessor Tim Purpura is laughing at home right now. Heck, Purpura probably had the option of trading Lidge months ago for better talent than what you got.
I mean, Lidge, who hasn't had as great of success ever since his infamous encounter with Albert Pujols in the 2005 NLCS is still considered one of the better closers in the game with his above average fastball and plus slider that buckles knees in the batter's box on a regular basis. Isn't pitching always thin, aren't teams always looking for upgrades on their staffs? How many teams did you actually talk to about Lidge? Did you check in with San Francisco, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, the Cubs, Atlanta or Texas, Kansas City and Detriot... these are all teams looking to add value to their bullpens. They must have more to offer than what you got back from your old team in Philly. Sure, you know the Phillies system as well as anyone but that's what makes this trade even more surprising to me!
Wade has said Bourn adds a great defensive player to his outfield and will patrol CF and bat leadoff. Sure Bourn has speed and will be great in CF but his bat is awful. We're talking about a .270 average with a lot of steals but not a lot of getting on base. That's what your leadoff guy is supposed to do, right? This guy is Michael Bourn, not Jason Bourne! Well, now the Astros are one of the teams looking for a closer so you've effectively filled one hole but created another and one that is harder to replace.
As for the Phillies, congrats... you deserve praise for not only pulling one over on Ed Wade but proving your reasoning for getting rid of him in the first place. You took your 5th OF from last year in Bourn and turned him into one of the better closers in the league which also means Brett Myers can move back into your rotation, which might be the biggest and best aspect of the deal.
Great job Phillies, you're on your way to a strong Hot Stove season.
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