When Lidge Returns, Will He Be the Right Choice for Closer?
By: Mike Reisman
Up until this point in the season, the Phillies have been playing without a closer. Ever since Brad Lidge was placed on the 60 day disabled list with problems in his shoulder, the Phillies have had to use players not normally used as closers. First, it was Jose Contreras who earned five saves for the club before he was, like Lidge, was put on the disabled list with an elbow injury. Since then, Ryan Madson has made the transition from setup man to closer.
Since Madson took over the closer's role on April 22nd, he has thrived, and the man who once had more blown saves than saves is now 10-10 in save opportunities. During this time, he has had an ERA of just 2.40, and opponents are batting just .236 against him. Madson's performance has been so good in fact, that manager Charlie Manuel has named Madson the closer, even now that Contreras has returned from the DL.
Madson has been arguably the best reliever for the Phillies this season, playing in the most games, having the best
fielding independent ERA, and gathering the best WAR of all the Phillies revilers. However, Lidge is set to return after the All-Star break, and possibly in just three weeks if all goes perfectly with his rehab, asking the question, who will close when Lidge returns?
If somebody looked quickly at this choice, it would seem like the simple choice would be Madson, who has been playing incredibly. Why mess with success right? However, with Charlie Manuel it's usually not that easy, as Manuel is usually a manager that sticks to his man, no matter how well the other one is doing. This especially applies to Brad Lidge, when Charlie kept Lidge as the closer, even after blowing three saves in five appearances last year.
What complicates this situation even further is that Madson has been a great setup man in the past, a position he could easily transition back to. If Madson was to stay as the closer, Lidge would have no obvious job as he would probably not accept the setup role. If Madson was named the permanent closer, there is a chance that Lidge could be moved at the trade deadline to get that outfield bat that many fans have been looking for.
Another thing that makes this a tough decision is the way that Lidge played at the end of last season. In his last 26 games last year, Lidge blew only one save in 18 save opportunities, posting a stellar ERA of 0.73, and allowing opponents to hit just .131 against him, stats that are better than Madson's since he has taken over as closer. He carried that success into the post-season, not allowing a single run in four appearances.
This will be one of the toughest decisions that the Phillies management will be forced to make this year if Madson is able to keep up his performance. Lidge will most likely not accept anything less than closing, however, Madson may not want to go back to setup if he has continued success.
Ultimately, Lidge will probably be given the role due to Charlie's loyalty to his players, but not without controversy. However, if Lidge isn't nearly perfect when he returns, and is taken out as closer, don't be surprised if the Phillies try to trade him before the July 31st trade deadline.