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Monday, November 10, 2008

TSN: Justice: Minaya’s top priority: Bring the Mets a Brad Lidge

Uhh, yea. Get Brad Lidge as a closer, get Kosmo Vinyl as an opener…and the Mets set is complete.

Here’s an idea: Mets GM Omar Minaya should display a large photo of Lidge somewhere in his office and be forced to look at it first thing every morning.

He should make Lidge the background on his desktop and wear a Brad Lidge locket around his neck.

Minaya can’t take his eye off the ball. He should be reminded again and again that the Phillies couldn’t have won without Lidge. Had he pitched for the Mets, they might be the ones being measured for rings.

So when Francisco Rodriguez asks for an astronomical amount of money, Minaya should think long and hard about Brad Lidge before he answers.

Likewise, if the Mariners want too much for J.J. Putz, Minaya should remind himself of how Lidge transformed the Phillies.

Repoz Posted: November 10, 2008 at 12:05 AM | 25 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: mets, phillies

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1. Harris Posted: November 10, 2008 at 12:24 AM (#3005804)

the phillies would gladly trade brad lidge for david wright I think, or maybe Johan. If money is no object....trade Wright to the Phils, then go buy a 3rd basemen to replace him.

2. Bhaakon Posted: November 10, 2008 at 01:03 AM (#3005818)

3. Mike Emeigh

Posted: November 10, 2008 at 01:41 AM (#3005828)

You still have to have someone to get the lead TO Lidge.

-- MWE

4. Orange & Blue Velvet Posted: November 10, 2008 at 01:49 AM (#3005838)

If money is no object....trade Wright to the Phils, then go buy a 3rd basemen to replace him.

Mets GM titty twisted to death. Film at eleven!

5. Athletic Supporter leads the nation in drifters Posted: November 10, 2008 at 02:12 AM (#3005852)

Just imagine what would have happened if Minaya had acquired Lidge last off season. A confirmed underperformer and playoff choker who had just blown 8 saves to convert 19? They'd have marched on Shea with pitchforks and torches.

I've always thought it was funny that NL East pundits point to the acquisition of Lidge as the key, with the idea being that one needs an ice-cold-veined shut-em-down 100% closer at the back of the bullpen. Lidge's recent and postseason history hardly suggested he would be that guy. The hard part is finding those guys (or, depending on your viewpoint, getting lucky), not "making it a priority." I bet there were a ton of people entering 2008 who would rather have Aaron Heilman (to take one example) in their bullpen than Brad Lidge.

6. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: November 10, 2008 at 02:30 AM (#3005862)

Brandon Lyon is willing and able!

7. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: November 10, 2008 at 02:31 AM (#3005863)

I bet there were a ton of people entering 2008 who would rather have Aaron Heilman (to take one example) in their bullpen than Brad Lidge.

They were all Mets fans.

8. Quinton McCracken's BFF Posted: November 10, 2008 at 02:34 AM (#3005865)

Likewise, if the Mariners want too much for J.J. Putz, Minaya should remind himself of how Lidge transformed the Phillies.

Or Eric Gagné the Red Sox. Or the Brewers.

9. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: November 10, 2008 at 02:54 AM (#3005876)

I lost track - is Lidge a choker right now, or is he clutch?

10. Big Ed Posted: November 10, 2008 at 03:57 AM (#3005895)

You never know what may happen with Brad Lidge. But as I think back, when Billy Wagner was acquired by the Phillies he reported in what he later admitted was not good shape. He was injured, and spent a lot of the year complaining about the Phillies' training and medical staff. When he left the Phillies he also had a lot to say.

Phillies fans are so happy to have Lidge. Not only for what he's done, but also because he seems genuinely happy to be on the Phillies.

Keep Wagner. And I'm sure the Mets will buy Frankie Rodriguez, and God knows who else.

11. ?Donde esta Dagoberto Campaneris? Posted: November 10, 2008 at 04:06 AM (#3005897)

Justin Speier is what you seek Omar. If the Angels ask for too much in return, you should remind yourself of how Lidge transformed the Phillies and demand GMJ as well.

12. Doris from Rego Park Posted: November 10, 2008 at 04:22 AM (#3005901)

Transaction Oracle for Lidge

13. RollingWave Posted: November 10, 2008 at 04:45 AM (#3005908)

MAKE JOHAN DA CLOSER!!! OR BETTAH YET, HE SHOULD PITCH IN DA 8TH! since we all know that the 8th inning guy (TM) is da most important position in baseball!!!!

In all seriousness though, the Mets do probably need one bigger signing, but they need a real plan on finding guys on the scrap heap, instead of all the crazy Scott Schoweiser contracts.

14. AJM Posted: November 10, 2008 at 04:56 AM (#3005914)

Do the Mets have a speedy 4th outfielder and a crappy minor league third baseman to trade?

15. Orange & Blue Velvet Posted: November 10, 2008 at 05:00 AM (#3005915)

MAKE JOHAN DA CLOSER!!! OR BETTAH YET, HE SHOULD PITCH IN DA 8TH!

*handwave* Get out of here! You're lost.

16. Harris Posted: November 10, 2008 at 05:11 AM (#3005921)

Do the Mets have a speedy 4th outfielder and a crappy minor league third baseman to trade?

They would still need a run-of-the-mill middle reliever to throw in to complete the trade....sheesh.

17. Dan Szymborski

Posted: November 10, 2008 at 05:11 AM (#3005922)

Transaction Oracle for Lidge

Ack! Why don't you guys remember the ones I hit better equally as well as the ones I miss?

At least I didn't bash Lidge and called Michael Bourn as sucking.

18. base ball chick Posted: November 10, 2008 at 06:04 AM (#3005935)

It's still premature to think that he can really better than a 5th outfielder and if the Astros were run by someone like Ed Wade, there would be a real chance that Bourn would interfere with the superior Lee-Pence-Scott outfield alignment. Uh-oh...

looks dead accurate to me

sigh

but the astros Organization detested luke scott for some reason and he would have been traded for something, anything.

and he was better than pence and bourn put together

19. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: November 10, 2008 at 08:33 AM (#3005957)

they need a real plan on finding guys on the scrap heap

I thought that plan was called "The Draft"?

20. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: November 10, 2008 at 08:35 AM (#3005958)

I remember that Keith Law really didn't like this trade for the Astros. In fact, I thought he was too harsh on Ed Wade.
One should always listen to Law because he knows what he's talking about. And one should always bash Wade.

21. RollingWave Posted: November 10, 2008 at 08:41 AM (#3005960)

the draft works too, unless you do it the Mariner's way (drafting relievers with first picks). anyway, the Mets need more depth and/or at least a willingness to experiment a bit.

I don't think anyone could have realistically seen Lidge to pulling out a historic season this year though, and what Richard Justice is blabbing is basically saying that "Da Mets need a perfect closer next year, never mind that has only been done a few times in baseball history, and a lot of it is tied into luck.... or that the Met's other areas are hardly without flaws."

22. Steve Parris, Je t'aime Posted: November 10, 2008 at 01:13 PM (#3005967)

I love Silver, but he was way too harsh on the Phillies for the Lidge trade.

Is [Lidge's final year of arb] worth giving up two good prospects in the form of Michael Bourn and Mike Costanzo? No, and it isn’t close.

23. Swoboda is freedom Posted: November 10, 2008 at 03:06 PM (#3005987)

Is [Lidge's final year of arb] worth giving up two good prospects in the form of Michael Bourn and Mike Costanzo? No, and it isn’t close.

How did Bourn and Costanzo do anyway?

24. phatj Posted: November 10, 2008 at 07:53 PM (#3006156)

How did Bourn and Costanzo do anyway?

Not so good. Bourn was with the Astros all year, and put up a 57 OPS+ in 138 games (41 out of 51 stolen bases!). Costanzo was flipped to Baltimore in (I think) the Tejada trade, and subsequently regressed badly afte being promoted to AAA, putting up a .729 OPS.

25. Obama Bomaye Posted: November 10, 2008 at 08:11 PM (#3006170)

Well, it wasn't close, anyway.

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TSN: Justice: Minaya’s top priority: Bring the Mets a Brad Lidge

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