The news of two gold gloves was overshadowed today when the Phillies completed a five-player trade with the Houston Astros. Brad Lidge will join the Phillies depleted bullpen next year. All speculation points to Brett Myers returning to the starting rotation. Now why, with added depth to the bullpen would it appear that Pat Gillick has hurt rather than helped the club?

In order to get Lidge and infielder Eric Bruntlett the Phils gave up Geoff Geary (not a HUGE deal but he did finish the season strong), speedy outfielder Michael Bourn (Pat Burrell doesn’t just turn black after the 7th inning) AND minor league third baseman Mike Costanzo.

Bourn was a defensive help as well as providing excellent base running for the Phils in 2007. If Aaron Rowand does indeed leave Philadelphia, Jason Werth would most likely be the everyday center fielder with true infielder Greg Dobbs being the fourth outfielder. This is a HUGE detriment to the team alone. But it doesn’t stop there.

Mike Costanzo was drawing a lot of praise from the minors. He was thought to be one or two years away from making the big club. The Phils obviously have a gaping hole at third base that is slightly larger than Wes Helms’ massive head. Costanzo’s bat got most of his publicity as he hit .270 in 2007 in 137 games for the Reading Phillies. 27 of his 137 hits were home runs.

But hey, lets focus on the positives. We get a big name in the bullpen. Let’s learn more about Brad Lidge. He had 17 saves in 2007 with eight blown saves and a 3.37 ERA. Well…that…was only last year right? He’s got to have better career numbers. Lidge gave up a 3-run homer in the 2005 NLCS to blow it for the Astros and force a Game 6. Since that home run Lidge has never really been the same. Before being demoted last year he blew six saves and had a 5.28 ERA with a 1-5 record.

Well awesome, thanks Pat Gillick for trading away our future. Maybe we could have traded GM’s with Houston. Who is there GM anway? Oh right…Ed Wade.