The Nationals are nearing a deal with free agent reliever Brad Lidge, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com tweets. Rex Gary of Turner Gary Sports represents Lidge.
Lidge, 34, appeared in just 25 games in 2011 because of a rotator cuff injury. He posted a 1.40 ERA with 10.7 K/9 and 6.1 BB/9 in 19 1/3 regular season innings for the Phillies before pitching two scoreless frames in the Division Series. The ten-year veteran owns a career ERA of 3.44 with 12.0 K/9, 4.2 BB/9 and a 40.7% ground ball rate.
Lidge, who earned $12MM in 2011, did not receive an offer of arbitration from Philadelphia. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com hears that the Phillies made Lidge a lowball offer (Twitter link).
This post was first published January 26th, 2012.
popular_mechanics_for_pitchers
2.5mil. ??
UnbaisedSoxFan
That’s going to be a pretty solid bullpen to go along with a nice rotation. Storen, Clippard and Lidge will definitely shorten games for the Nats starters.
Lastings
Well, at least one Nats starter is already shortened because of an innings limit. Perfect fit with a projected solid 7,8,9 inning guys.
Jay
Look at the Nats making a big move.These Nats fans were talking smack on how they would be getting Fielder.Enjoy that Jayson Werth contract for many years to come
FS54 2
seriously it does not mean much coming from a Mets fan. But I am glad we did not get Fielder contract. Either way, if we had gotten it, you would be talking about how bad contract Nats handed out to a fat guy and so on.
User 4245925809
Last time he swapped teams he was dominant for a year.. maybe it will happen again.
Jay
No way i would have never questioned the Nats if they signed Fielder to a big contract.He is a superstar player who is only 27 so to me that was a great signing by the Tigers.Now the Nats signing Jayson Werth a solid player to a superstar contract is as bad as it gets.Sorry bro that is the facts.I guess my Mets and Nats will be batttling for 4th place
FS54 2
I don’t think so. I think we can hold our own in this division. We have better pitching now and expect better offense (full season of RZ, AL, etc). I think we end up 3 or above in this division despite all additions Marlins have made.
UnbaisedSoxFan
They can just wait on Votto. Similar player, in a lot better shape and can be had for similar money. This move is solid for the Nats. Their bullpen is going to be pretty darn good if you figure in the players already on their team.
UnbaisedSoxFan
Man…double posting like crazy today.
Taylor
And the NL East gets even tougher to play in…
start_wearing_purple
Between the potential of the bullpen and the potential of the rotation the Nats could potentially have a top 5 pitching staff next year.
Jay
What are you smoking
UnbaisedSoxFan
Nothing. That is a great bullpen and a really good rotation. Plus, they are all pretty young.
ARod's Ring
He’s right. Just wondering… what team do you root for?
*Edit* You’re a Mets fan. That explains everything.