Amaro on Lidge's role: "Those are mainly decisions for Charlie to make."
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Amaro on Lidge's role: "Those are mainly decisions for Charlie to make."
Andy Martino
We all know that Charlie Manuel has been publicly supportive of Brad Lidge. But what does Ruben Amaro Jr. think, on a day when all of Philly seems to be buzzing with Lidge-related anxiety? After all, he’s the general manager, "the decider," to quote a former president.
Reached by phone a few hours ago, Amaro did not say, suggest, hint or imply that he was thinking about making a change at the position. But he did place the onus for any decision largely on Manuel.
“Those are mainly decisions for Charlie to make,” Amaro said. “But I believe in Charlie and I believe in Lidge. There is no question he has had some rough games. He has had some struggles, but when Lidge is pitching right, I’ll put my money on Lidge.”
Of course, Lidge isn’t pitching right this season, and I don’t have to retype the stats to prove it. My personal opinion hasn’t evolved on this since I blogged last night. It’s a problem for the team. Some of the more sabermetrically-inclined members of the Philles Zone community have rightly pointed out that a closer’s importance is overstated, and the Phils should just put different people in that role or mix-and-match. I almost always agree with sabermetric arguments, but actually covering baseball has changed my view on this one.
Yes, the save stat is one of the dumbest metrics in baseball, and middle-relief swingmen are more valuable than closers—at least modern, one-inning closers in the post-Eckersley/Sutter/Lee Smith era. But actually getting to know relief pitchers has taught me that they like to be in prescribed roles, and they really do believe that the ninth inning is different from any other.
So while the Jamesian crowd smartly notes that stuff that works in the seventh innings should translate to the ninth, it just doesn’t seem to work that way for the humans who play the game. That’s why demoting Lidge would potentially create new and serious problems for the bullpen, reshuffling the whole mix with weeks to go before the playoffs.
Also, Manuel was also asked today whether he would use Lidge again four days in a row. “If he’s sore or if he’s stiff or whatever and he feels like it’s going to be tough for him, if he tells me I won’t use him,” Manuel said. “I mean that. But at the same time, I felt like he was ready.”
***
Tomorrow, Antonio Bastardo (shoulder strain) will pitch a Gulf Coast League rehab game, Clay Condrey (oblique) will throw in a simulated game, and J.C. Romero (forearm strain) will throw a bullpen session, according to Amaro. The GM said that he still hopes to have all three back this season.
Comments (62)
Hoffman would be just as bad as Lidge, the guy is a great closer but he cannot pitch in the playoffs. I think we should prepare Myers to close in the playoffs.— robm0202
All of you guys are upset because Charlie keeps saying he has confidence in Lidge. What do you expect him to say? Even if he and Ruben are meeting daily to find a replacement do you think either one of them is going to say something like "Well, he sure was good last year, but I don't think we can win with him this year." Of course not. He's going to say what he's said and hope that Brad gets things straightened around. Lidge has done it before. He can probably do it again. Or maybe not. But based on recent events I'll bet that Ruben and the boys have a plan if Lidge doesn't get it going. This is not an emergency. They are 7 games up with about 40 to go, and only 1/2 game from the best record in the NL. Let's see what Myers does in the next week or two. Maybe the answer is as simple as that. Or maybe Brad will get his mo jo back. This isn't a crisis. Give it time.- Charlie might as well go fishing. Dubee can count to 85 and then replace the pitcher.The 7 game lead will disappear. Good bye season. Ask the players.— tulsaphil
- Andy, good job getting something, anything, out of Amaro, who never seems to want to comment on a tough situation. I remember reading that Charlie didn't have a lot of voice, pro or con, about bringing Pedro in, and now he's the main decider on Lidge? I don't buy it. Am I hearing some CYA here?— oldecityslicker
- Players love Manuel because of his loyalty, but if we go into October pretending Lidge is the answer in the ninth we will lose.— Denali
- My understanding is that if the Phillies don't add Hoffman or Cordero before September 1, they won't be eligible for the postseason. For Charlie Manuel to say if Lidge tells him he's tired, he won't use him is ridiculous. Charlie Manuel knows Lidge won't tell him when he's tired or hurt.— Gnip Gnop
- Well said, Alan in Florida!— derrickwh
Comment removed.- I can't think of a worse 'closer' at the moment than Brad Lidge. Watching him on the mound brings back memories of the immortal Mac Scarce, who also had a knack for blowing games, followed in close succession by: Eddie Watt, Frank Linzy, Jesus Hernaiz, Ed Farmer, Dave Wallace. Oh, the glory days.— Manor2009
- The Phillies defense with Lidge on the mound is the trainwreck!!— Sagido
It's so obvious now how to solve the playoff problem! Our rotation will be, in some order, Lee, Hamels, Blanton, Happ. We just have them all pitch complete game shut outs and not worry about the pen! Charlie you're a genius!- 9:26 -- Madson blows another save. Next...— bm2626
- 9:26 -- Madson blows another save. Next...— bm2626
- And now Madson has blown his 5th save of the year! It really does come down to Brett Myers or Pedro Martinez if we want another parade.
- It does not come down to Pedro or Myers; Chan Ho Park should be given a shot at closing. Madson does not have the character for a closer; Martinez is a starter and Myers is coming off surgery. It would help, of course, if the Phils would blow out some teams, but they have too many non-contact hitters and guys who don't work the count. Watching the Yankees game tonight, saw Jerry Hairston, Jr., have an 11 pitch at bat that drove out the Texas starter in the 7th and the Yankees pummeled the Texas bullpen. We could use some guys who work the count and are willing to settle for singles. We win if we hit the long ball, but have great trouble in low-scoring games like the one tonight. Note to David Murphy: the closer, particularly with the Phillies, is the most important factor in winning or losing.— chuckw
Popular Posts
About this blog
The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
Matt Gelb
Inquirer Staff Writer
Bob Brookover
Inquirer Baseball Columnist
Search this blog:
Classifieds:
Site Services:
Partners:
Powered By:
