The Phillies have announced that closer Brad Lidge has signed a three-year, $37.5 million dollar extension that will run through 2011. The deal also hold a club option for a fourth season.

The once struggling closer, who was stolen from the Houston Astros for Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary, and Mike Costanzo, has flourished in Philadelphia going 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA and 19 saves.  He’s also one of two closers in Major League Baseball who has not blown a save this year (the Yankees Mariano Rivera being the other).

Add Lidge to the list of players who enjoy playing in Philadelphia, putting the side the stereotype that it’s a tough city to play in. 

“I don’t know where I could go that would have a team that would have a better opportunity to get to the World Series, to win a World Series,” Lidge said. “I think that’s probably what most free agents are looking for, is a chance to be able to win, to win a World Series. For me, that’s the most important thing, so where better than Philadelphia?”

Phillies fans feel the same was Brad. 

This is an excellent move by the Phillies.  When they traded for Lidge prior to the season, it was a gamble.    A pending free agent, with struggles that appeared to be in his head, there was no guarantee it he would return to prior dominance.  Once he did, it shows a commitment by the front office to keep the key chips in place to make sure the Phillies don’t contend just this season, but for years to come.