[EmpireWF]

The Houston Astros have dealt former closer Brad Lidge to the Philadelphia Phillies according to ESPN.

"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."

Info on the new Astros...'Bourn batted .277 as a rookie this year with one homer, six RBIs and 18 steals, and Geary was 3-2 with a 4.41 ERA with the Phillies. Costanzo, 24, batted .270 with 27 homers and 86 RBIs at Double-A Reading.'

Bourn is suppose to be a top outfield prospect. Geary is a decent bullpen arm. I don't know anything about Costanzo.

[Lefty Noob]

Constanzo hit .270 with 27 home runs and 86 RBI in 137 games last year in the minors. In October, he was named one of the AFL Rising Stars. Between him and Bourne, and the fact that Houston dumped an overpaid, washed up old closer, I think this deal worked out incredibly well for the Astros.

[azrael492]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Constanzo hit .270 with 27 home runs and 86 RBI in 137 games last year in the minors. In October, he was named one of the AFL Rising Stars. Between him and Bourne, and the fact that Houston dumped an overpaid, washed up old closer, I think this deal worked out incredibly well for the Astros.

I agree. How did they get the Phillies to go for this deal. Lidge is washed up. I heard reports he lost a lot off his pitches. They are flat and easy to hit.

They should have a very good OF with Pence and the 2 new guys. Does this move Berkman full time to 1B?

[njpsufan]

I disagree. Bourn is nothing but speed. Below avg arm, does not hit any power. While he is sure to steal a lot of bases... you can not steal first base. Geary is up and down. Tends to go thru streaks where he pitches well and then can't seem to get anyone out. Constanzo was OK at AA but does not project out to be much more then a maybe player. There was talk of moving him to catcher as he does have a quick release. At the plate he is a K machine with a lot of whiffs. He has a very long swing that results in feast or famine. The Phils are a team desperate for a 3B and they got rid of him so that should tell you his chances. Lidge is a ? at best.

[Lefty Noob]

Dumping Lidge for a six-pack would've been a good trade. The fact that they got a speedster in Bourn and a solid prospect makes it all the better.

[njpsufan]

Yeah he is a speedster but like I said... you can't steal first base. The Phils got the best of this hands down.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by njpsufan

Yeah he is a speedster but like I said... you can't steal first base. The Phils got the best of this hands down.

Well, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. I think you guys are in for a rude awakening with Lidge, though.

[njpsufan]

Oh I agree Lidge is not the same as he once was. Talking with my neighbor who works for the Mets and has met Lidge several times, the way he describes him is "fragile", in a mental sense. Now that is no different then any closer, he says the same thing about Wagner. But Philly is a tough town if you are not on your A game. If they can break him in easy, then his confidence will improve. However when you look what was on the FA market as far as SP, it was and is very weak. The Phils basically gave up nothing for a guy who was once a good closer. They move Myers back to the rotation which improves that. Now your back end of the bullpen looks like Romero, Madson, Gordon and Lidge... not great but not horrible either. SP is Hamels, Myers, Kendrick, Moyer and Eaton or maybe Lohse. Overall it was a moved that filled 2 holes for the Phils and cost them nothing.