Phillies Offseason: Breaking Down the Brad Lidge Deal

Wednesday night saw Phillies GM Pat Gillick strike a deal with an old friend (or enemy, depending on your memory)—current Astros and former Phillies GM Ed Wade.

Yes, the same Ed Wade who gave David Bell a four-year deal when he could barely walk to the bargaining table—and the same Ed Wade whose biggest midseason acquisition may have been Turk Wendell.

As fun as it is to bash Eddie, though, it’s probably time to move on. And now that Eddie has a whole new slew of soon-to-be-enemies in Texas, let’s do just that.

As it stands, the Phillies get former All-Star closer Brad Lidge (and someone named Michael Bruntlett) for what’s been described as spare parts.

Those being:

Michael Bourn—a speedy outfielder who often replaced Pat Burrell in the late innings last year.

Bourn's judgment in the field was suspect at best, and he seemed to get his feet tangled a lot backtracking on balls. A slap-hitter who hit .277 in a part-time role last year—not a huge loss.

Geoff Geary—a soft-tossing relief pitcher who has no business being in the major leagues.

Geary had one good stretch last season but otherwise couldn't get anybody out. If the Phils had simply cut him, the team would be better. The fact they got an actual major-league closer for him is huge.

Bottom Line: Good riddance.

Michael Costanzo—a third base prospect with good power (27 HRs in Double-A last year).

Not going to pretend I’ve ever seen him play, but I’ve heard the organization has soured on him due to a poor glove and a proclivity for strikeouts.

On paper, then it seems like a good move for the Phillies—but of course it's not without risk.

First you get Lidge, who you have to hope is over his Albert Pujols-itis. No less importantly, the deal bumps Brett Myers back into the starting rotation.

Myers seemed to like the closer role, but wasn’t lights-out effective. With Adam Eaton gone bust, the Phils need Myers to be strong at the top of the rotation.

Paired with Cole Hamels, Myers at least looks to be a better option than anything Philadelphia could’ve gotten on the free-agent market.

I mean, Carlos Silva for 40 million?

Come on.

The interesting question is what happens next. In trading Bourn, the Phillies lose some of their roster flexibility. Assuming Aaron Rowand leaves for greener pastures, the outfield is in flux.

Burrell stays in left (God help us), Shane Victorino goes to center, and presumably one of the minor league guys (Greg Golson?) steps in in right.

Then again, maybe the Phils can use the cash they saved on a starter to coax Rowand to stay.

Rowand's energy and hustle are perfect for the team and the city. You’ll never hear him pull a Donovan McNabb or a Scott Rolen and complain about how hard it is to play in Philly.

The guy is hard-nosed winner—and the Phils would do well to keep him.

The best news here is that Stand Pat is finally going for it. Sure, this could turn out to be another Freddy Garcia-esque disaster, but the Phils have to keep trying, right?

The bullpen was a wreck last year. This seems to be an affordable step in the right direction—and it beefs up the starting rotation to boot.

For once, everything seems to make sense.

How's that for a change of pace?