Another Look at Michael Bourn

Phillie watchers had their first opportunity to see the new, improved Michael Bourn last week and contemplate what might have been.

We've looked at the Bourn-Brad Lidge deal on a couple of occasions this year. In the immediate aftermath of last season's world championship, it appeared to be one of the best in Philadelphia baseball history - the reliever was the single player most responsible for the team's success.

Then earlier this season we took a second look. At that point, Lidge was struggling and Bourn was hitting .300 and his Astros were serious playoff contenders. Now as the season winds down, we take a third look.

Lidge is no longer just struggling - he has melted down in one of the most dramatic falls from grace since Adam and Eve. Charlie Manuel gets edgy just talking about it.

Meanwhile, while Houston has become a footnote in the National League race, Bourn continues to hit over .290 with 50 plus stolen bases. So at least based on this year's production, Bourn has outshown Lidge by several light years. Bourn has been the Astros' MVP, Lidge a Phillies' Pandora's box and migraine headache for Manuel.

But a little perspective. After watching the former Phillie up close last week, it is clear that he has not remade himself into a potent batsman; he is still a work in progress. Of his 150-odd hits, more than a third of them are either the result of bunts or are of the infield variety. He is on pace to strike out close to 140 times, a whopping total for a leadoff man with three home runs. And if Bourn were still a Phillie, where would he play?

But let your imagination run wild. Michael Bourn's game begins and ends with speed - it was decisive in a couple of the Astros' wins over the Phils in Houston. If Bourn was the regular left fielder in Philadelphia in tandem with Victorino and Werth, it would constitute one of the fastest outfields in major league history. Add Jimmy Rollins, and Davey Lopes would have a world class 400m relay team to wreak havoc on the bases. The home team would have a remarkable combination of speed and power.

Would Bourn's speed offset the loss of Ibanez' power? Probably not. Would it be easy to design a lineup to incorporate Rollins, Victorino and Bourn effectively? Heck no. Could Michael Bourn ever be as valuable as Lidge was in 2008? Almost inconceivable.

But the Phillies sure would be fun to watch.

(Note: This blog will be changing its name to "fannotes@blogspot.com")

Lidge Not There Yet

Brad Lidge picked up his third consecutive save in last night's exciting win over the Giants at the ballpark. But to say it was not an artistic performance would be kind.

Lidge threw 22 pitches and officially 10 were strikes and 12 were balls. Unofficially, there were probably no more than 3 or 4 actual strikes. The rest were the product of wild swings at balls well out of the strike zone by the undisciplined Giant hitters. There were probably at least 6 balls in the dirt and Carlos Ruiz must have felt like a pinata trying to keep the baseball in front of him.

The Phillie closer's two previous appearances were solid but this was a step backward. It was all smiles after the game but deep down Brad Lidge and Charlie Manuel know that many questions remain as the playoffs loom.