The Nationals have agreed to sign free agent right-hander Brad Lidge to a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $1 million plus incentives, the team has announced.
Lidge, 35, posted a 1.40 ERA last season, but was limited to 25 games due to shoulder problems, and he ended up losing his closer’s job to Ryan Madson.
However, he did save 27 games and had a 2.96 ERA for the Phillies in 2010, and in his ten-year career he has a 3.44 ERA to go with a very impressive 12.1 K/9 rate.
The Nationals, who finished a surprising 80-81 last season, are making a lot of noise this offseason and after years of rebuilding they are seemingly going for it.
Yesterday, newly acquired starter Gio Gonzalez had this to say:
“We’re ready, we’re going to come out here swinging for the fans and we’re definitely going to go out there and try to shut teams down,”
The Nationals also expect to have 2009 No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg heading the rotation for a full season and the addition of Lidge will add experience to a strong bullpen headed by closer Drew Storen and setup man Tyler Clippard.
This was a great signing for the Nationals and he could pay off big for them.
