Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Twins Sign Thome

It’s official, My Homie, Jim Thome, is now a Minnesota Twins player! I wrote thoughts a couple of days ago, but briefly, it’s impossible not to like the deal. At $1.5 million base and $700,000 in potential incentives, the risk is low. Thome is still 39 years old, so he’s got something left. He’s got over 560 home runs. He has hit 30 or more homers 12 times in his career. He hit 23 last year. It will be interesting to see how much he plays. He is a designated hitter and a pinch hitter, a left-handed bat. Yes, they already have Jason Kubel, but Kubel can play some left field. If he gets more than 250 plate appearances, it means that Jason Kubel, Michael Cuddyer or Delmon Young got hurt or simply did not perform. It is interesting that Bill Smith is saying that Thome was brought in as a pinch hitter while Gardy is saying that he will get plenty of at bats. What will happen? We shall see. But again, big picture, $1.5 million is more than fair for a player of Thome’s background and power, even if he is just a pinch hitter. Consider a bench that would include Drew Butera or Jose Morales, Jason Pridie, Alexi Casilla and Matt Tolbert. Intimidating, huh? I don’t think so either. Of course, someone will need to be removed from the 40 man roster to make room for Thome. Could it be Glen Perkins or Alexi Casilla (maybe in a trade?), or could Steve Tolleson be taken off the 40 man? We shall see. Big picture? Very good signing for the Twins. There really is no negative in this deal. I like it. What do you think?

Back to Archives Home