Houston Astros Closer Situation

April 12, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Adam Barricklow
Edited by Ryan Dodson

During spring training Houston Astros manager Phil Garner said that it would take five or six blown saves before he would consider replacing closer Brad Lidge. Instead, it took only one. In two appearances this season Lidge has given up three earned runs for a 16.20 ERA. The move seems justifiable looking at the numbers from last season but a bit confusing considering earlier comments made by Garner. Houston Astros right-hander Dan Wheeler replaced Lidge in the closer role. However, Wheeler, too, has struggled as he blew a save and nearly blew another two nights before being handed the closer gig. This is the third time he has been named the closer and the fourth time that Garner has removed Lidge as the team's closer. This shuffling certainly throws an early season hurdle at Lidge owners but could provide others the opportunity to improve their team.

It was not long ago that Lidge was considered one of the premier closers in the league. From 2004-06 Lidge averaged 34 saves and 121 strikeouts per season. Although Lidge posted 32 saves and more than 100 strikeouts in 2006, there were signs of trouble as his ERA ballooned to 5.28. Wheeler stepped in for Lidge in 2006 earning nine saves while posting a 2.52 ERA. Wheeler's nine saves last season were a career high as he has been used almost exclusively in a setup role during his career. Before 2006 Wheeler had a total of five career saves.

Table: Houston Astros RP Brad Lidge - Statistics 2004-06

Year	Saves	K	ERA
2004	29	157	1.90
2005	42	103	2.29
2006	32	104	5.28

Table: Houston Astros RP Dan Wheeler - Statistics 2004-06

Year	Saves	K	ERA
2004	0	9	2.51
2005	3	69	2.21
2006	9	68	2.52

While Lidge deals with his demotion, Lidge owners are left trying to make sense of the situation and plot a plan of action. The important thing to note for fantasy owners is that Lidge has been through this before, and Garner has always returned to Lidge. When Wheeler was earning his first save of the season against the Chicago Cubs, and struggling to do so, it was Lidge who was warming up in the bullpen awaiting Garner's call. Garner may ultimately go with more of a bullpen-by-committee approach, but all signs appear to Lidge being given the chance to win his spot back. The Astros denied several trade rumors during spring training and stated repeatedly that Lidge was their closer. Even more important to the hopes of Lidge owners was Garner's comment that it was too soon to say Lidge was done as closer and that it was not a long-term deal. It will be up to Lidge to win his role back and with an uncertain 2008 looming, Lidge signed a $5.35 million deal for 2007 during the offseason. He has plenty of incentives to win the spot back and cash in on a long-term deal for next year. Should the Astros stick with a closer-by-committee approach Lidge is likely to be the more valuable as he has strikeout ability that Wheeler has yet to prove he can match.

The smart move for Lidge owners is to be patient. Lidge has been through this before, and Garner has not written him off for the season just yet. In the buy low, sell high of fantasy sports Lidge's value is unlikely to get much lower. For owners that have the roster space, it might not be a bad move explore trade options or to see if a nervous owner dropped him. Even with his 5.28 ERA last season it is important to remember he still posted 32 saves and 104 strikeouts. While Lidge might not ever return to being one of the league's premier closers, it is still early in the season, and he still presents value.

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Adam Barricklow

Adam Barricklow is based out of Central Ohio and has been a KFFL Contributor since 2003. Adam has been playing Fantasy Football since 1996 and has been addicted since day one. Adam plays in various leagues, running one of them and uses his experience and knowledge to create reports that are able to help the fantasy player look at every perspective.

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