Would/should the Astros take a flyer on Lidge?

[Reuben]

Just read this MacTaggart article about the Phils' offseason decisions (as an aside, I hope he gets more national assignments. He's a decent writer, and would be nice to have someone in that role who knows the Astros exist). Tags notes that Lidge is a FA, and of course the Phils will decline his option. I'm guessing with his recent injury problems he won't find a multi-year deal anywhere.

I'm grasping at straws a bit here to fill the Void... but he might not be a bad pick-up for the Stros on a one-year deal; he could set-up and mentor Melancon and ideally provide a little more stability to the back end of the 'pen. Maybe he'd only want to go to a contender, but it seemed like he liked it here, so who knows?

Melancon
Lidge
Lopez
Lyon
FeRod
Escalona
Wright

...something like that? Let me know if I'm leaving out anyone blatant; got a bit hard to keep track of the 'pen towards the end of the year there.

[Lurch]

A closer is the last thing this team needs

[Fredia]

the astros need a whole new , well lots of things was thinking team but guess that is not possible, one the the astros need is to get rid of lee and use his salary to make it work

[Mr. Happy]

the astros need a whole new , well lots of things was thinking team but guess that is not possible, one the the astros need is to get rid of lee and use his salary to make it work

We will get rid of his salary-after he's earned it all.

[Reuben]

A closer is the last thing this team needs

Where in my post did I say that they did?

[Ron Brand]

Where in my post did I say that they did?

You said set-up guy. I can't imagine that he wouldn't get a shot as someone's closer, but ideally, you want a cheap setup man because they're often a closer-in-waiting who hasn't earned the $$$ yet.

As has been mentioned, there's way too many holes on this team to be spending cash on Lidge, regardless of the role he'd play.

[Mr. Happy]

You said set-up guy. I can't imagine that he wouldn't get a shot as someone's closer, but ideally, you want a cheap setup man because they're often a closer-in-waiting who hasn't earned the $$$ yet.

As has been mentioned, there's way too many holes on this team to be spending cash on Lidge, regardless of the role he'd play.

I agree, RB. We need way more than a set up man or a closer. You have to get to the eighth inning with a lead before you worry about setting up or closing.

[Reuben]

You said set-up guy. I can't imagine that he wouldn't get a shot as someone's closer, but ideally, you want a cheap setup man because they're often a closer-in-waiting who hasn't earned the $$$ yet.

As has been mentioned, there's way too many holes on this team to be spending cash on Lidge, regardless of the role he'd play.

Yeah, my thinking was he could maybe be had on the cheap, considering he pitched only 19 innings this year and has had his ups and downs as a closer, but I could be way underestimating his earning power. What can I say, I like Lidge and would love to see him back in an Astro uni.

[Mr. Happy]

Yeah, my thinking was he could maybe be had on the cheap, considering he pitched only 19 innings this year and has had his ups and downs as a closer, but I could be way underestimating his earning power. What can I say, I like Lidge and would love to see him back in an Astro uni.

That's understandable. He's a good Notre Dame lad who, if he can still hit 95, will have plenty of suitors.

[Texifornia]

That's understandable. He's a good Notre Dame lad who, if he can still hit 95, will have plenty of suitors.

Only if he trusts his stuff.

[remy]

No.

[Waldo]

Assuming Pujols remains a Turd and the Astros move to the AL, why wouldn't you take Lidge? /radio show caller

[Fredia]

love your radio voice type post you might have a career

[JimR]

i would.

[pots]

I would, but mostly for a possible trade chip in July.   Shouldn't cost much and if he does well, he could land a nice prospect. 

[Jose Cruz III]

I would, but mostly for a possible trade chip in July.   Shouldn't cost much and if he does well, he could land a nice prospect. 

Or a draft pick at the end of the year.

[Ty in Tampa]

I know this is a hypothetical but what makes anyone think that Lidge will come Astros-cheap?

[Lurch]

I know this is a hypothetical but what makes anyone think that Lidge will come Astros-cheap?

Ranch?

[JimR]

I know this is a hypothetical but what makes anyone think that Lidge will come Astros-cheap?

details, details. i'm on a roll.

[sporadic]

I know this is a hypothetical but what makes anyone think that Lidge will come Astros-cheap?

he seemed to like it here.  try and keep up

[EasTexAstro]

he seemed to like it here. 

It was F'ing awesome!

[Astroholic]

It was F'ing awesome!

It was the best of times It was the worst of times.

[Reuben]

I know this is a hypothetical but what makes anyone think that Lidge will come Astros-cheap?

Well, he's been on and off the DL and in and out of the closer role for the last 2-3 years. He only pitched 19 innings total, as a setup man, this year (albeit with a good ERA). So I'm guesstimating that he could be coaxed back into an Astros uni for a $4mil-ish, 1-year deal. However, I freely admit that I could be totally wrong.

[Mr. Happy]

Well, he's been on and off the DL and in and out of the closer role for the last 2-3 years. He only pitched 19 innings total, as a setup man, this year (albeit with a good ERA). So I'm guesstimating that he could be coaxed back into an Astros uni for a $4mil-ish, 1-year deal. However, I freely admit that I could be totally wrong.

Again, that money needs to be spent on everyday positions before we worry about honing a bullpen. I like Lidge, but this club lost 106 games. I'm not sold on any starter on the club except for Lee.

[Reuben]

Again, that money needs to be spent on everyday positions before we worry about honing a bullpen. I like Lidge, but this club lost 106 games. I'm not sold on any starter on the club except for Lee.

At the risk of seeming like I'm obsessed with Brad Lidge... I hear you, but other than resigning Barmes or getting another SS, I don't see where they would spend on a FA position player.

Don't you think the team could have used a decent veteran 'pen guy this year, not just to win games but to help the cadre of young kids learn how to be major league relief pitchers? That's all I'm saying.

[Mr. Happy]

At the risk of seeming like I'm obsessed with Brad Lidge... I hear you, but other than resigning Barmes or getting another SS, I don't see where they would spend on a FA position player.

Don't you think the team could have used a decent veteran 'pen guy this year, not just to win games but to help the cadre of young kids learn how to be major league relief pitchers? That's all I'm saying.

The club could have used a decent veteran 'pen guy. But then again, the club either could use or could have used a decent 2B, 3B, C, CF, RF and a starting pitcher or two. Do you see what I'm saying? If I were in charge, I'd spend the first money on everyday players, then starting pitching and then bullpen guys. But that's just me. If Lidge would decide to sign for $1 million heavily incentivised one year deal, then I'd be a buyer. But Lidge isn't an eleemosynary organization and will try to get the best deal that he can, I predict that he'll get one year offers in the $3-4 million range. In my opipnion, that's money better spent elsewhere.

[Fredia]

obsesed with a former player...see bud girl

[ValpoCory]

At the risk of seeming like I'm obsessed with Brad Lidge... I hear you, but other than resigning Barmes or getting another SS, I don't see where they would spend on a FA position player.

Don't you think the team could have used a decent veteran 'pen guy this year, not just to win games but to help the cadre of young kids learn how to be major league relief pitchers? That's all I'm saying.

As Mr. Happy touched on, if this Astros leadership said no to a home-town discounted Berkman, you can expect the same stance on signing Lidge.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

obsesed with a former player...see bud girl

Too soon.

[Reuben]

As Mr. Happy touched on, if this Astros leadership said no to a home-town discounted Berkman, you can expect the same stance on signing Lidge.

Not the same thing at all. Berkman was blocking Wallace. A team carries 7 relief pitchers.

[geezerdonk]

Berkman was Millsie is blocking Wallace.

[BUWebguy]

Not the same thing at all. Berkman was blocking Wallace. A team carries 7 relief pitchers.

Also, Berkman was going to be $10 million-plus, right? This hypothetical assumes Lidge is less than half that.

[moriartp]

Berkman was Millsie is blocking Wallace.

Wallace is blocking Wallace at this point, as far as I can tell.

[mrpink]

Also, Berkman was going to be $10 million-plus, right? This hypothetical assumes Lidge is less than half that.

Unless you know something I don't Berkman signed with the Cards for 8 so I doubt he would have cost Houston more than 10.

[Mr. Happy]

Unless you know something I don't Berkman signed with the Cards for 8 so I doubt he would have cost Houston more than 10.

But didn't he get a two year deal?

[Bench]

But didn't he get a two year deal?

Two one year deals.

[VirtualBob]

Two one year deals.

Running concurrently?  That would seem to fit a banishment to Philadelphia.

[hostros7]

Phils decline option on Lidge... and Oswalt

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/phillies-decline-options-on-lidge-oswalt-.html

[Ron Brand]

Phils decline option on Lidge... and Oswalt

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/phillies-decline-options-on-lidge-oswalt-.html

We're on a mission from God.

[MusicMan]

Phils decline option on Lidge... and Oswalt

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/phillies-decline-options-on-lidge-oswalt-.html

We're getting the band back together!

[austro]

We're on a mission from God.

We're getting the band back together!

/The Penguin glides over and smacks both of you with a ruler.

[Fredia]

with the mission from God do i get to wear a black suit and glasses and go to houston  with all of you?

[Ron Brand]

with the mission from God do i get to wear a black suit and glasses and go to houston  with all of you?

Yes ma'am, we're The Good Ole Boys. We'll meet you at Bob's Country Bunker.

[Mr. Happy]

Yes ma'am, we're The Good Ole Boys. We'll meet you at Bob's Country Bunker.

We play both kinds of music: country and western.

[jester9450]

 he's past his  prime

[JimR]

he's past his  prime

so are you