Brad Lidge, CL, Houston Astros

June 21, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Brad Berreman
Edited by Ryan Dodson

After losing the closer's job in April, relief pitcher Brad Lidge (oblique) was given the job back. He replaced reliever Dan Wheeler, who has converted 11 saves in 14 opportunities so far this season. However, Lidge has experienced a setback and has been placed on the disabled list, retroactive to June 16, with a pulled left oblique muscle. Wheeler is expected to take over again as the closer, although it may just be temporary. Lidge himself is 0-for-3 in save opportunities this season, having blown a save in his first chance back as the closer on June 12 against Oakland by giving up a tying home run to Oakland Athletics outfielder Mark Kotsay in the ninth inning.

This appears to be a minor situation where Lidge will simply be shut down to allow him to recover fully from the injury. Lidge could be able to return once his time on the disabled list is up. Lidge may be out beyond his 15-day disabled list stint, but at this point, not much is known about the nature of his injury, and early estimates are only speculatory.

Lidge was one of the most dominant closers in baseball for a two-year stretch from 2004 to 2005. He had the rare ability to combine strikeouts with saves in fantasy leagues. Here is how he did in that two-year window.

Table: Brad Lidge, CL, Houston Astros - Stats 2004-2005

Year	W	SV	ERA	WHIP	K
2004	6	29	1.90	0.92	157
2005	4	42	2.29	1.15	103

So far this year, serving mainly as a setup man, Lidge has posted a 2-1 record, a 2.34 earned run average and a 1.27 WHIP in 34 games (34.2 innings pitched). In 2006 he struggled as the Astros' closer, posting a 1-5 record, 5.28 ERA and 32 saves in 38 opportunities. In 2005, his best year, Lidge recorded 42 saves to go along with a 4-4 record and a 2.29 ERA. 

In 2007, Dan Wheeler has a 0-4 record with a 5.85 ERA in 32.1 innings pitched. He also took over as closer from Lidge in 2006, posting a 2.52 ERA and nine saves in 12 chances.

Because Wheeler has been so ineffective, the team may look at other options, such as relievers Chad Qualls and Dave Borkowski. Qualls hasn't been much better, with a 5-3 record, 4.17 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings. Borkowski is another option, although he has never recorded a save. In 30 2/3 innings this season, he has a 1-2 record with a 4.35 ERA and 29 strikeouts.

Lidge seems to have a better makeup and pitching repertoire than Wheeler to be the closer once he returns, assuming he has regained his confidence and the injury is not serious. Wheeler is definitely better suited to be a setup man, having only totaled five career saves before 2006.

This situation might now take a "wait and see" approach from a fantasy perspective. Lidge is worth keeping as long as the injury is not serious. If Wheeler does well, Garner may be tempted to go back to him, but that is unlikely given the recent performances of both these players. Wheeler is worth hanging onto in most fantasy leagues, at least until the situation is clarified and/or Lidge returns from the injury.

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Brad Berreman
Brad Berreman has been a KFFL contributor since 2004.

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