Houston Astros Baseball

Lidge To Phillies

HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Astros today acquired outfielder Michael Bourn, third baseman Michael Costanzo, and right-handed pitcher Geoff Geary from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for right-handed pitcher Brad Lidge and infielder Eric Bruntlett. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Ed Wade.


"One of our goals coming into the offseason was to find a quality speed centerfielder who could hit at the top of the order and give us a spark," said Wade. "Bourn is an outstanding young player who will make an immediate impact and should be productive for a long time. Plus, his addition allows us to move Hunter Pence to right field, where he will continue to grow into the All-Star caliber player that we know he's capable of becoming.

"While Bourn was the key to the deal for us, we also believe that Geoff Geary will do a solid job in our bullpen, and Mike Costanzo is an outstanding power prospect at third base.

"Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett have been outstanding members of the Astros' organization. We weren't anxious to trade either player, but this deal makes sense for both the Astros and the Phillies."

During his first full season in the Majors, Bourn hit .277 (33-for-119) with one home run, three doubles, three triples, six RBI and 18 stolen bases in 105 games for Philadelphia. The 24-year-old, left-handed hitter has hit .268 (34-for-127) with six RBI and 19 stolen bases in 122 career games over two seasons from 2006-07. Bourn was originally selected by Houston in the 19th round of the June 2000 draft but did not sign. He was later drafted by the Phillies in 2003 in the fourth round after playing three years at the University of Houston.

Costanzo, 24, hit .270 (137-for-508) with 27 home runs and 86 RBI in 137 games for the Double-A Reading Phillies in 2007. The 2007 Eastern League All-Star ranked second in the Eastern League in home runs and third in runs scored (92). He was a second-round selection in the June 2005 draft from Coastal Carolina University.

Geary, 31, was 3-1 with a 4.41 ERA (33 ER/67.1 IP) and 38 strikeouts in 57 relief appearances for the Phillies last season. He also made 14 appearances at Triple-A Ottawa, going 2-1 with a 2.52 ERA (7 ER/25 IP) and 21 strikeouts. Geary is 13-4 with a 3.94 ERA (117 ER/267.1 IP) and one save in 216 career games over five seasons with Philadelphia. He joined the Phillies in 1998 after being selected in the 15th round of the June 1998 draft.

The 30-year-old Lidge finished the 2007 season 5-3 with a 3.36 ERA (25 ER/67 IP), including 19 saves and 88 strikeouts in 66 games for the Astros. In six Major League seasons with Houston, Lidge is 23-20 with a 3.30 ERA (147 ER/401 IP). He has 123 saves in 378 appearances, ranking third on the Astros career saves list.

Bruntlett, 29, completed his fifth season with the Astros in 2007 and hit .246 (34-for-138) with 14 RBI in 80 games. He recorded career-high totals in hits (34), at-bats (138) and walks (20) in 2007. During his five big league seasons, Bruntlett has hit .250 (118-for-472) with nine home runs and 50 RBI in 320 career games.

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