I read an article earlier this year that made a halfway decent argument that Wagner is a top 3 closer of all time. They had to go into some advanced stats, but I was surprised by how well he stacked up against the greatest ever.
It was not only Lidge's out-of-nowhere dominance for those 1.5 years (which at his peak eclipsed Wagner's amazing peak), he was doing it in the highest pressure of situations (where the team literally could not afford to lose a single series down an absurd 40-50 game stretch), including the playoffs, that gives the acceptable perception that Lidge exceeded Wagner's accomplishments. The 04 and 05 Astros likely don't advance as far as they did (let alone make the playoffs at all) if Lidge wasn't as super-human dominant as he was. Looking forward to posting some "good night Giles" for several 9th (and 8th) innings to come.
100 Miles Giles. Not mine, I heard it on MLB Network last night, but I still love the nickname. I am thrilled with this deal. We get a significant our to add to our already good bullpen, and the acquisition cost was not as I feared after the the Shelby Miller and Craig Kimbrel deals.
I like it too... except I'd shorten it to an acronym, which in this emoji/text day and age, and if he lives up to his billing, will be appropriate: O.M.G.
That's why I said "maybe" Lidge. Lidge didn't pitch that fast but he could launch it at 96-97 at times during the 'Stros play-off runs. He was the last big time closer the Astros had. As far as as a flame thrower goes, Wagner was that guy for the Astros.
Marisnick is a flat out stud athlete. If he could make more consistent contact he would be a Hall of Famer.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3_sFbJpynRs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Good amount of fire or just disrespectful?
to be fair, the Phillies were grooming him to be their closer so I would expect him to hang out with Papelbon to pick up a few tips and what not
It's weird how this hasn't been made official. Must be waiting for one of the involved players to come back from vacation for a physical.