Re: Is Lidge Back!?
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Most of his solid work this year was as a setup guy, not as a closer.
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Yes, this is correct. Another reason why the idea of "closers" and "saves" is absolutely effing retarded. The 7th and 8th innings are just as important as the 9th. I thought he was really effective as what people call a "set up" man. I don't see why the Astros didn't just keep him there.
Years ago Wagner was the closer and Dotel the set-up man with Lidge pitching the 7th. Then they let go of Wags and Dotel became the closer by default for a year and Lidge moved to the 8th. Dotel was shipped off to KC I believe in the Beltran trade, and subsequently Oakland, and Lidge became the closer by default. Now he's gone.
I suppose it'll be either Nieve or Sarfate next year.
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