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Instead of trading Lidge last off-season, the Astros decided to take a gamble that Lidge would return to form. I can't criticize that decision, because it looked like a reasonable risk to take.


Here's the thing with Lidge, in 2006, there were 12 pitchers with more blown saves and only 5 pitchers with more saves. Hes is still one of the top closers, just not the top anymore. Last season, he seemed to always give up runs when he had a cushion, but still pitched well in close games as a whole. Lidge has always had bad mechanics, he has always struggled with control, but he always had his slider to bail himself out, and last season hitters were not swinging at the slider, they were waiting on the fastball. Why? Well it's anyone's guess, but I think the league adjusted to him, and now it's time for Lidge to adjust and maybe he has and this is the best he will be, which still is not all that bad. It's just a matter of managing expectations.