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March 13, 2012 11-12 Offseason Joe Janish

Brad Lidge Shocks the World

According to reliever Brad Lidge, who is now with the Nationals, on his new team:

Probably the most talented team I’ve ever been on, and I’ve been on some great teams.

FYI, Lidge last played for the Phillies, whose personnel included Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard (among others). Prior to his stint in Philadelphia, Lidge was in Houston, where his teammates included the likes of Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Jeff Kent, Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt in his prime, Billy Wagner, Roger Clemens, and Andy Pettitte.

But this 2012 Washington Nationals team is — in his opinion — the “most talented” he’s ever been on.

Hey, maybe it is. Perhaps the Nats will fulfill that opinion with their performance on the field this year or next — we’ll see.

What do you think? Is Lidge off his rocker, or does he have a solid argument to back up those words? Sound off in the comments.

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Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
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  1. Tommy2cat March 13, 2012 at 12:13 pm
    In assessing Lidge’s comment, one may wish to consider:

    – Davey Johnson is the architect and manager of this team.
    – Davey Johnson is a disciple of Frank Cashen and participated in forming and managing the NY Met juggernaut of the 1980’s.
    – Davey Johnson was using stat sheets and computer analysis in 1983 while managing the Tidewater Tides.
    – When the NY Mets promoted Davey Johnson to manage the NY Mets ML club, he called it “a very smart decision.”
    – In 1969, Joe Torre made the last out (a double-play grounder) to allow the Mets to clinch the NL East.
    – In 1969, Davey Johnson flied to Cleon Jones in deep left as the final out in the World Series.

    Okay, okay, the last 2 points have nothing to do with anything other than a coincidinky metaphysical conceit, but – heck – it’s spring training…

    Given the Nats wellspring of talent and the man at the helm, I think Brad Lidge has a valid basis for his comment. Put it this way, I am much more concerned about the Nats than I am about the Marlins.
    ________________________________

    In a separate & unrelated topic, I hope that Met fans predominate the Wilpon-Picard jury pool. They’ll know what to do! 😀

  2. Izzy March 13, 2012 at 2:28 pm
    I would much prefer someone to say that my team is the most talented he’s ever been on than to have an owner hand out underdog t-shirts. I don’t think Lidge is right but who believed Jimmy Rollins when he pronounced his Phillies to be the 07 champs before a game was played!
  3. argonbunnies March 13, 2012 at 3:58 pm
    The Nats may have the best highlight reel in the game, with Morse and Werth hitting the ball very, very far, Zimmerman snaring hot grounders, Strasburg throwing 100, and Harper kicking butt in the high minors as a teen.

    But in terms of total talent on the 25-man roster, there’s no way they compare to the biggest payroll teams of Lidge’s career.

  4. gary s. March 14, 2012 at 12:02 am
    So what.The Mets are the best triple a team i have ever seen in the last 40 years,Unfortunately, they have to play a mlb schedule in 2012
  5. Neil Peart March 18, 2012 at 12:32 pm
    Typical hype-laden Spring Training quote…nothing to see here