If both are free agents, they could each seek closer's money on the open market. With a Phillies payroll that already has $107 million committed to just nine players in 2012, there is probably room for just one.
And should Madson spend the entire season as a setup man again, would the Phillies have enough confidence to make him the permanent successor to Lidge?
"We're going to have to make some decisions on both those guys, obviously," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.
Madson will turn 31 in August and has never been a full-time closer. Though he's had limited opportunities to pitch in the ninth, they haven't gone well. His career ERA in the ninth inning is 4.21. In the eighth it's 3.09, and in the seventh it's 2.91.
But that's only a rudimentary analysis of Madson's work in the ninth. His numbers are best in high-leverage situations. His postseason performances have been phenomenal. And his chances to close haven't lasted beyond a few weeks at a time, so the sample size is small.
"As a setup guy, he's the best in the game," Lidge said. "I really think he's the best setup guy in the game."
Madson said he relies on that success for confidence as he yearns for more closing opportunities. It took Madson being at the lowest point to step back and look at the bigger picture.
He began the 2010 season as the closer with Lidge on the disabled list still recovering from offseason surgery. Madson converted four of the six save opportunities he had. He blew one April 20 against Atlanta and another eight days later in San Francisco to put his ERA at 7.00 for the month of April.
That day in San Francisco, a frustrated Madson kicked a chair in the visiting clubhouse. He broke his right big toe and did not return until July 8. Madson realized he had to change his approach.
