Padres Need To Acquire Brad Lidge To Help Out Bullpen

On June 17, the Washington Nationals designated reliever Brad Lidge for assignment, according to James Wagner of the  Washington Post.This means that the Nationals have 10 days (from June 17) to either trade or release Lidge.

Whatever the Nationals decide to do with the former closer, the Padres should come calling.

After all, the Padres’ 15th ranked pitching staff  could use all the help it can get. With Andrew Cashner moving from the set-up role to the starting rotation, Lidge can step in and fill a much needed void.

And if closer Huston Street happens to suffer another injury, Lidge, a veteran of  225 career saves, can slide into the closer’s role quite smoothly.

As we look at Lidge’s statistics from this year, it is no secret that he is having a down year, not to mention that he is recovering from sports hernia surgery.

But the Padres love veteran guys who are having down years or are up in age. Jeff Suppan and Jason Marquis are perfect examples of this. So the 35- year-old Lidge will fit right in. He will also come relatively cheap, in the off-season he signed with the Nationals for only $1 million .

A move to the pitcher’s haven known as Petco Park can almost  resurrect any pitcher’s career, and I expect it to do just that with Lidge.

It only makes sense, the Padres need to inquire about Brad Lidge or should I say acquire Brad Lidge.