In the first trade since the GM meetings began, ESPN.com is reporting the Philadelphia Phillies have obtained former closer Brad Lidge and infielder Eric Bruntlet for outfielder Michael Bourn, right-hander Geoff Geary and minor leaguer Mike Costanzo. The deal ends Lidge's meteoric rise and fall from grace in Houston. The Phillies are obviously hoping the troubled reliever will return to his "lights out" form when he saved 42 games while striking out 100+ batters in 2005.

To be honest I'm not familiar with the other players included in the deal but you've gotta think Lidge will love not having to face the St. Louis Cardinals, specifically Albert Pujols, quite as often. I'm not sure whether Lidge will ever be "right" again but his career has been incredibly interesting to watch. I remember watching the NLCS game in 2005 when Albert rocked that pitch onto the train tracks down in Houston and thinking how monumental that single swing of the bat was. At the time I knew it got the series back to St. Louis and gave us fans at least one last chance to say goodbye to the old Busch Stadium. However, after several other Cardinal comebacks against Lidge, including another Pujols home run, I realized Albert had effectively thrown Lidge's career into question. Every single time the two faced each other you could see the fear in the pitcher's eyes. It's been truly amazing to watch. We'll see where it goes from here.

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