Tracy Ringolsby's new column says the Phillies will be better next year, just because Brad Lidge will be better.
And there is every reason to believe that Lidge can rebound.
He has done it before. Struggling in Houston, where the inconsistency of manager Phil Garner's use of Lidge was as big a factor as Lidge's own inconsistency, Lidge was given a fresh start with the Phillies a year ago and responded with a summer of perfection. He converted all 48 save opportunities in 2008 — including seven in the postseason...
...A winter to rehab will allow Lidge to be healthy in 2010. Lidge is scheduled to undergo surgery on Wednesday to remove loose bodies from his right elbow and also have his right flexor tendon evaluated. More than the elbow ailment, however, scouts are convinced Lidge's season-long struggles dealt more with a right knee problem....
Now, he has an offseason to get his mechanics back in order.
Um-hum.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
