Posted: Thursday, September 10, 2009, 5:12 PM | 28 comments |
 

Lidge not the closer now, could win back job
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            Charlie Manuel still views Brad Lidge as an excellent closer, possibly this season. And he plans on shifting the bullpen dynamic this month with the goal of fixing Lidge in time for the playoffs.
            But if that does not happen, others will use September to prepare for  postseason job. What had become gradually clear this week and was made official in a meeting after Wednesday’s game: Lidge is no longer the Phillies sole closer, though he will likely still serve in that role at times, and could regain total control of the job this year.
            In a meeting after Ryan Madson earned the save in Wednesday’s 6-5 win over Washington Wednesday, Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee informed Lidge of a change in the back of the bullpen. With the ultimate goal still to begin the playoffs with an effective Lidge as closer, the Phillies will use different pitchers in save situations in the near future.
            Though Manuel did not name them, Madson and Brett Myers are the likely other candidates to close games. The manager summoned Madson Wednesday in part because Myers was unavailable after pitching four consecutive days.
            Beyond that, specifics remained fuzzy. “It’ll be what it’s going to be,” Manuel said. “That’s the way I look at it. I see where he can be our everyday closer again.
            Lidge said he agreed with Manuel’s approach. “It’s real simple. Just get me work to get me where I need to be, and that’s about it. I told him, listen, whatever you need me to do, I’ll be willing to take the ball any time.
           
Posted by Andy Martino @ 5:12 PM  Permalink | 28 comments
28
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:18 PM, 09/10/2009
    This is becoming a huge distraction, and it's only because Charlie won't do the right thing, and pull him for GOOD. I've been predicting for a month that Lidge will not be on the postseason roster, and it's becoming increasingly clear that that will in fact be the case.
    — twothousandeight
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:28 PM, 09/10/2009
    We need at least a serviceable closer so better now than in the playoffs to find out who can fill that role.
    — eaglessuperfan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:36 PM, 09/10/2009
    I really don't see a problem with having a "closer-by-committee". Charlie seems to have a decent feel for playing the right cards at the right time, so maybe Lidge in a limited closer role isn't such a bad thing.
    — superabound
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:40 PM, 09/10/2009
    lidge is all over the place right now...but he still has closer stuff. but this should have been done five blown saves ago. use madson, myers AND lidge to close....if one isn't affective, pull him for another. there's no rule that says if you bring a guy in to pitch the ninth that he has to finish the ninth, or lose trying....
    — nyphilliephan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:44 PM, 09/10/2009
    I have to agree with 2008 on this. What good does it do to leave this open-ended, except to possibly protect lidge's feelings? Which, by the way, judging from Lidge's comments he doesn't seem to need his feelings protected. He's saying the right things and still has a positive attitude. Let's not forget 4-5 years ago when Madson was yamked between the rotation and bullpen, and was awful in each role and this year when he was thrust into the closer role due to Lidge's DL trip and wasn't that good either. He seems to be a guy that likes a defined role so he knows exactly when he'll be coming in the game and can do whatever prep work is necessary. Leave him as the 8th inning guy, where he's exceled and let myers close, where he has also exceled. what's so hard about this?
    — solomon grundy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:15 PM, 09/10/2009
    Charlie Manuel is the most dangerous man in Philly and as Agent 86 used to say, "and loving it".
    — sillybilly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:16 PM, 09/10/2009
    Madson did not do well in the defined closer role earlier in the season. So, maybe it makes more sense to use Lidge, Myers and Madson with hopefully a lefthander in the 8th and 9th as definded roles.
    — psuwelsh
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:26 PM, 09/10/2009
    Yes, leave Lidge off the post season roster....MORON...not at all. Rest the guy and build some confidence going into the playoffs through some meaningless innings in the short term then ramp it back up in the last week and a half. Lidge is definitely one of the best arms in the pen, makes ZERO sense to leave him off the roster and it flat out won't happen.
    — Phillies1120
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:39 PM, 09/10/2009
    i hear kendrick is starting sunday, lidge can start his mop up duty then
    — wearethechampions
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:40 PM, 09/10/2009
    The only times when Lidge has pitched worse than in save situations is in non-save situations so it's hard for me to see him earning his job back in these spots...
    — drdave
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:48 PM, 09/10/2009
    cholly is just covering for Bradley. Behind the scenes, Cholly is laying down the law.
    — scootch
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:09 PM, 09/10/2009
    Phillies1120, why are you calling someone a MORON who thinks Lidge may not be on the postseason roster, and how is Lidge one of the best arms in the bullpen? Have you been watching? Do you see his ERA? There is a good possibility he will be left off the post season roster, if this continues, (and it will). He is useless. Just being honest.
    — scars73
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:13 PM, 09/10/2009
    Useless? He's a big reason we have a ring and he's done the job multiple times in the past. He'll be doing the job again next year. Count on it.
    — Grazman


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