Once again, DaDakota is so, so correct! It's just about time to cut the cancer. I love the guy, but damn. The time is creeping closer, quicker than you'd think. If his numbers don't improve drastically by the all-star break, & he shows that he can once again achieve a degree of dominance ... he'll be gone. He'll be packaged, just as Dotel was. Lots of people will want him. Perhaps new surroundings are what's best? Sucks, but 'tis true. Just don't get ripped off in return. I wouldn't cry if Wheeler was given a shot, but his aim is also suspect at times.
I thought we should have traded Lidge in the offseason. Now that they are stuck and he's only worth pennies on the dollar, the Astros must be patient and give him the chance to turn it around (not necessarily as the closer right now).
I don't buy that. I don't buy the "head case" argument, either. Dude's location is off. It happens to a lot of pitchers. Of course Garner yanked him, he was about to walk the game away.
I had this thought yesterday. If he lands us a Beltran (or a Tejada, perhaps?), I'm all for it. Not that I'd call him a "cancer".
We can have all the offense in the world... but this team won't get better without more consistent starting pitching, and a solidified bullpen.
Jim Deshaies brought up an interesting point, he said you could take an average Major league pitcher and put him in the closers role and they would succeed 75% of the time. He said that you get to the elite level by having a 90% save rate. Lidge has been in the elite level for a while, but right now, his control has moved him down to average (at best). Something ain't right, and he has to figure it out, or I also agree, he will be traded. You can't demote him, there is no coming back from that. DD
Agreed. Part of me is hoping that Clemens does come back and that Pettitte becomes Pettitte. Adding Buchholz to that bullpen may be a shot in its arm.
And with a three run an average pitcher will get the save 95% of the time and an elite closer 97.5%. The fact that Wheeler had to bail him out in the easiest save situation is telling. I was mocked earlier for calling Lidge Wild Thing II. I really was just joking, but check this out: Mitch Williams 1994 IP ---- H -- BB -- WHIP 20 --- 21 -- 24 -- 2.25 Brad Lidge 2006 IP ----- H -- BB --- WHIP 16.2 ---17 -- 16 -- 1.98
