As a guy who didn’t really agree with this trade to begin with, I can’t say I expected this, but I’m not 100% surprised either. Brad Lidge, the new Phillies closer will go under the knife, and be out an expected 3-6 weeks, to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. This will be Lidge’s second surgery on the same knee in five months. Although he is optimistic that he will be available on Opening Day when the Phils take on March 31 against the Washington Nationals. So far we’ve seen Lidge on crutches when he was introduced as a Phillie, off crutches for Meet the Phillies and the first week or so of spring training, and now he’s being held up by crutches once again. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Phillies fan just like everyone else in Philadelphia, but I didn’t buy this trade from the beginning and I won’t until I can see that he can succeed here. After his infamous pitch to Albert Pujols in 2005, Lidge really hasn’t been the same.

This is a city where you really have to be able to take a mental beating in order to succeed. It’s a wonder Pat Burrell was able to have such a good year last year after the verbal abuse (although well deserved) he took in years past. Lidge was shaken when Aaron and I took it to him last year at a Phillies/Astros game in pre-game warm-ups. Can he handle that pressure every day? Yes, Lidge had a bit of a good streak last season, but an inconsistent year all-in-all.

So what now for the Phillies bullpen? Basically they’re at the same place they were last year at spring training, expecting Tom “Flash” Gordon to take the reigns as closer in the absence of a real closer. Flash has experience at the back end of the pen so it isn’t devastating that the Phils are without their new closer…yet.

The 40-year-old relief pitcher blew five saves and only saved six in 44 games last year with the Fightin’s. Although he turned it up down the stretch to the playoffs, Gordon was as inconsistent as they come overall in 2007. So what happens if Lidge’s condition gets worse and the Phils call starter-turned closer-turned starter and resident prankster Brett Myers back to the bullpen to re-assume his closer role? Most are already worried about the starting rotation as is, knowing there is a very good possibility that Adam Eaton could actually be the fifth starter.

There’s a name that hasn’t come up in Philadelphia for a few months that could still be an option if Pat Gillick is willing to open the Phillies wallet a bit; Kyle Lohse. He is still unsigned and if he stays that way much longer, his price tag is bound to drop. I’m just puttin’ it out there but I would rather see Lohse make the starting five than Adam Eaton.