Tagged: Brad Lidge

Phillies Likely to Re-Sign Brad Lidge

With Ryan Madson off to Cincinnati to become their new closer and Kerry Wood likely to resign with his beloved Chicago Cubs, the Phillies have to look elsewhere for their relief help. A little closer to home.

Jon Heyman of CBS reports that the Phillies are expecting to check in on former Cincinnati closer Francisco Cordero, but it’s far more likely that the Phillies will now sign former Philly closer Brad Lidge.

Lidge, 35, only pitched in 19 and a third innings in 2011 due to a shoulder injury that sidelined him until August. Lidge was 0-2 with a 1.40 ERA. He allowed 16 hits, walked 13, and did not surrender a walk. Brad struck out 23 and recorded an ERA+ of 282. He posted rates of 7.4 H/9, 6.1 BB/9, and 10.7 K/9. Keep in mind, these are over a small sample size.

Lidge only recorded 1 save last year, but it just so happened that 1 save was his 100th in a Phillies uniform, making him the 4th closer in franchise history to reach the mark. Only Mitch Williams (102), Steve Bedrosian (103), and Jose Mesa (112) have more saves.

Brad’s hometown Colorado Rockies appear to have bailed out of the Lidge sweepstakes, and the Angels only have minor interest. My best guess would have Lidge signing a cheap one-year deal with the Phillies within the next two weeks.

Reds Sign Madson; Cubs Close to Deal for Wood

Somehow, someway, Ryan Madson managed to get his closing job.

The Cincinnati Reds signed the former Phillies Set-Up Man and Closer to a One Year deal worth $8.5 million. There is a mutual option for 2013. The Phillies will gain a supplementary first round pick, and the Reds’ second round pick as a result of Madson declining the Phillies’ offer of arbitration.

Best of luck to Madson in his new home, aside from games against the Phillies of course.

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Kerry Wood’s loyalty to his Cubbies still remains strong after all these years. The 34-year old is reportedly close to a One Year deal, with an option for 2013. The Cubs were reported to have seriously increased their offer last night, a deal much closer to market value than the One Year, $1.5 million deal he signed last season. Wood has spent 11 of his 13 big league seasons at Wrigleyville. The Phillies were reported to be a serious suitor for his services.

It would not surprise me in the least to see the Phillies’ pursuit of Relief help to bring them right back to their old friend Brad Lidge.

Phillies Pursuing Brad Lidge

Ol’ Lights Out Lidge may not be done with the Phillies yet.

Ken Rosenthal from FOX Sports reports that the Phillies are in negotiations with Free Agent Reliever Brad Lidge, and that the Angels are on the “periphery”. The Rockies appear to have ceased negotiations with Lidge.

Brad Lidge, 35, only pitched 19 and a third innings for the Phillies last year, as he was sidelined most of the season with an injury. However, in those 19 and a third, Lidge was very good. He posted a 1.40 ERA, 10.7 K/9, and allowed no home runs. The 6.1 BB/9 will be something to watch going forward though.

Lidge could be a cheaper alternative to Free Agent Kerry Wood, who is said to be seeking a 1-Year Deal worth $4 million. With the Phillies right up against the luxury tax, that is too much for the Phillies to pay. A One-Year, $1-2 Million deal with Lidge is realistic. He would be a mentor for the young arms rising through the ranks, and could possibly recapture some old magic in a new middle-innings role.

“At this point I probably could have taken some offers” Lidge said today in an interview with MLB.com’s Paul Hagen. “At the same time, they weren’t quite right for me…”

Lidge expects to make a decision soon, and mentioned that no doors have closed on a possible return to Philadelphia.

“Good Chance” Ryan Madson accepts Arbitration

UPDATE, 10:21 PM EST: The New York Mets have signed Jon Rauch to a one-year deal. They have also signed Frank Francisco to a two-year deal. Though it takes a destination for Madson and K-Rod off the board, it also takes two closers out of play instead of one. Less competition, but less destinations as well.

UPDATE, 9:20 PM EST: Jayson Stark reports that the Red Sox acquiring Athletics closer Andrew Bailey is a “real possibility” and that it should scare Madson and K-Rod. If Boston is taken off the board, that would leave only San Diego and Cincinnati as viable options, with the Mets getting close to a deal for Jon Rauch. The Rangers are lurking, though would only sign another closer under the “right circumstances”. Also, do not forget that Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati’s closer in 2011, is still in play. It’s essentially three closers and two viable jobs, so perhaps one of Madson or K-Rod will take the safe route and accept arbitration…The plot thickens.

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UPDATE, 7:47 PM EST: As is per the course, there will be conflicting reports. Peter Gammons tweets that there is no interest from Madson and K-Rod in accepting arbitration from their respective clubs. We’ll see which report is correct soon.

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I can’t say I expected it, but I can definitely say I hoped.

Jayson Stark reports that there are serious rumblings at the Winter Meetings that Ryan Madson will accept the Phillies offer of arbitration due to the lack of closing opportunities. Stark thinks that K-Rod could do the same with the Brewers. The move would deny the Phillies some prospects in this year’s draft, but this could set up one of the best bullpens the Phillies have had in a long time. Imagine a Phillies bullpen that includes Antonio Bastardo, Ryan Madson and Jonathan Papelbon. Top that with a rotation with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels and the rumblings before next year won’t be the best rotation ever assembled: It may be the best Pitching Staff ever assembled.

Of course we’re ahead of ourselves. Ryan Madson still has to actually accept, which Scott Boras, the money-grubbing jerk that he is, is advising him against doing. However, the closer market is shrinking. The Marlins have nailed down Heath Bell. The Phillies have Papelbon. The Red Sox have Bard. The Angels are attempting to acquire Brandon League from the Mariners. The Brewers have Axford. The Blue Jays have Sergio Santos.

Does Madson really want to pitch in San Diego or New York (Mets) just so he has the opportunity to close? Would Madson take a closer position on a non-contender? If not, Cincinnati and Boston (if they are not confident in Bard) are your only options.

How much would Madson make in arbitration? $7 million? $8 million? Certainly not the $11 million he was going to make before his initial deal with the Phillies fell through. If Madson does make $8 million, then the Phillies would just about be limited to signing Jimmy Rollins this offseason. Aramis Ramirez may no longer factor into their financial plans. Madson accepting would also close the door on Brad Lidge returning to Philadelphia. The Phillies going through arbitration with Madson and signing Jimmy Rollins would leave them with some wiggle room during the season, which Amaro always likes so that he could make a mid-season move if need be.

There are so many questions, and so few answers. Would the potential of one of the best pitching staffs in the Majors be enough to entice Madson, like the rotation did with Lee? Would he accept less money to come back? Or would the opportunity to close be far more important, enough to make him pitch on a non-contender?

We’ll find out within the next 24 hours.

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Phillies sign Nix to 2-Year Deal

As many have already quipped, the Phillies have finally filled the hole Jayson Werth left when he joined the Nationals last year: An outfielder with an awkwardly placed ‘Y’ in their name. The Phillies signed Outfielder Laynce Nix to a 2-year deal on the eve of the 2011-12 Winter Meetings. Nix made $700,000 last year on a one-year deal with the Nationals, so the annual value of this deal shouldn’t be that far off. The move not only ends the Phillies pursuit of former Minnesota Twins Outfielder Michael Cuddyer, but should also end Raul Ibanez’s and Ben Francisco’s tenures with the Phillies. There is simply no more room on the Phillies roster for Francisco, and they aren’t going to waste over $1.5 Million on a player that will stay at AAA.

Nix just turned 31 in October, and played in 124 games for the Nationals in 2011. In 351 PA, Nix posted a .250/.299/.451 line with 16 HR and 44 RBI. The lefty hit .263 off of Right-Handed Pitchers in 2011, but was atrocious against fellow lefties, batting a measly .111.

It’s only December 4th, but the Phillies are just about finished their offseason shopping. Amaro recognized the Phillies biggest weakness in 2011, aside from the tendency for everybody not named Chase or Jimmy to stop hitting in the playoffs. The Phillies bench was lackluster in 2011. Brian Schneider and Michael Martinez was horrible, Ben Francisco failed to meet expectations, Valdez was nothing special, and Gload, while one of the best pinch hitters in the NL leading up to the All-Star break, was horrible afterwards.

Out of the Phillies 2011 Bench, the only players that seem like they could possibly return is Schneider, already signed to a 1-year deal, and Wilson Valdez. Martinez seems to be heading to AAA next year, Gload is leaving via Free Agency and Ben Francisco looks like he will be non-tendered. The new Phillies bench appears to be Nix, Wigginton, Thome, Schneider and Valdez. Not too shabby.

With the Winter Meetings upon us, the Phillies will turn all their attention to locking up Jimmy Rollins, or any shortstop for that manner, to a contract. The only other team that appears to be competing with the Phillies is the Brewers. The Giants appear to have dropped out of the J-Roll sweepstakes and are now pursuing Alex Gonzalez. Jose Reyes, with a 6-Year $111 Million deal on the table from the Marlins, appears destined for South Beach, so the Phillies should lock up J-Roll quickly. If Reyes signs before Rollins, J-Roll could use his position as the best SS on the market to make it a pain for the Phillies.

Aside from that don’t expect much more out of the Phillies offseason. Do not be shocked, however, if the Phillies resign a healthy Brad Lidge to a 1 year deal. He can be a mentor for the young prospects coming up, and was lights out after he returned from injury in 2011. It seems like a perfect low-risk high-reward signing, as Lidge is realistic and doesn’t expect much in the way of offers.

Phillies Resign Schneider

Firstly may I say that it’s in-advisable to take a week-long vacation in the middle of hot-stove season, especially when you’re trying to maintain a website. So it’s not too surprising that I just so happened to miss one of the Phillies key signings of the offseason, that of new closer Jonathan Papelbon. Personally I feel that 5 years is too long, but replacing Lidge’s $12.5 million with Papelbon’s $12.5 million shouldn’t prove to be too financially difficult.

Secondly, the Phillies brought back a familiar face Thursday.

Cross Backup Catcher off of the Phillies’ offseason to-do list. Brian Schneider, known in 2011 as Vance Worley’s personal catcher, resigned with the Phillies on a one year, $800,000 deal. Schneider can earn an additional $200,000 in incentives, bringing the total potential value of the deal to an even $1 million. Schneider was lackluster at the plate in 2011 to say the least, posting a .176/.246/.256 line in 139 plate appearences. Schneider also hit 2 HR and knocked in 9. Despite his very good defensive abilities, Brian only threw out 3 of 23 base stealers in 2011; that’s a low 13%.

The plus of the deal is that it’s extremely cheap, and to get a 10-plus-year MLB vet at near league-minimum is a good deal. Schneider is known to be a very friendly face in the locker room and is good for team chemistry. Being Worley’s personal catcher, anything to help Worley repeat his 2011 success in 2012 is welcome in my book.