Frank Thomas released

by Adam J. Morris on Apr 20, 2008 10:15 AM CDT Comment 37 comments

The Blue Jays have released Frank Thomas, who learned yesterday that he was going to be sitting quite a bit, and was none to pleased about that.

Thomas was a mild disappointment for the Jays last season, posting a .277/.377/.480 line with a .288 EQA, and had a .167/.306/.333 line this season before his release.

And no, there's no reason to bring him here -- he's going to want to play full-time and can only play DH right now.

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Well...

that was unexpected. I know he was upset about being told he wouldn’t start, and said his career would not end like that, but I didn’t think they would release him. My guess, expect to see him back with Oakland.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Apr 20, 2008 10:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The Rays

would be a good fit.

by Randy Richardson on Apr 20, 2008 10:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

they sure would

I’d like to see that happen. The Rays could be quite relevant this season, and Big Hurt would slot nicely between Upton and Pena.

A good season from Thomas, a return to health from Kazmir, and a continued breakout by Edwin Jackson might have the Rays playing some meaningful games real late in the season.

Pedro: "I wasn't cockfighting, I just have a wide stance."

by tricer on Apr 20, 2008 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see anyone signing Thomas

when Bonds is out there. Which would you rather have DHing?

"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck

by DJCahill on Apr 20, 2008 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not exactly sure how it works

but couldn’t you get Thomas for the minimum now that he has been released, compared to paying Bonds $10 million or so?

Pedro: "I wasn't cockfighting, I just have a wide stance."

by tricer on Apr 20, 2008 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt it takes $10 million

for Bonds. I doubt anyone not playing on a team gets $10 million.

"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck

by DJCahill on Apr 20, 2008 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bonds

is definitely the better hitter, but also brings with him personal, media, and legal baggage that teams clearly aren’t interested in taking on. That having been said, Thomas might not find a team willing to take him on right now either – right away only 13 AL teams could possibly have an interest – then take away those who are happy with their DH production and there are probably only 1-4 teams that will kick the tires. Thomas might have to wait until later in the year for an opportunity.

by Randy Richardson on Apr 20, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dunno

The Rays are getting great production from Hinske and Gomes, and once Cliff Floyd comes back they’ll have a plethora of DH/1b types on their roster.

They could probably use Thomas as a righty DH versus lefties, but isn’t that the exact situation he just freaked out about in Toronto?

"Sabean did a good job on selling high on Liriano." -Excel Hearts Choi

by thedirkatron on Apr 21, 2008 1:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

that’s a shocker.

His BA is horrific, but he also has 3 HR & 11 RBI-which would be the 2nd most productive hitter on the Rangers.

He must have thrown a royal shit-fit about being benched, huh?

...it's the weekend, so why the hell not?

by Rodney on Apr 20, 2008 10:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

mini Zito

I remember JD going hard after him.

But yeah, he’ll catch on somewhere.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Apr 20, 2008 10:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Back in a White Sox uniform?

/sarcasm

And with the 22nd overall selection the Dallas Cowboys select Jonathan Stewart.

by TheBZA on Apr 20, 2008 10:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The Big Hurt Mashes Leftys

2007 OPS of 1062 v. leftys.

Career slugging % of .647 v. leftys.

Look at his career numbers… April is by far his worst month.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Apr 20, 2008 11:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

damn his stats are just unbelievable

career OPS+ of 157 over a 19 year career. Last year was a down year of only a 125.

Pedro: "I wasn't cockfighting, I just have a wide stance."

by tricer on Apr 20, 2008 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about this line up…

Kinsler 2B
Young SS
Hamilton CF
Bradley RF
Blalock 3B
Thomas DH
Murphy LF
Botts 1B
Salt Shaker C

On the bench you have Laird, Cat, Vasquez, Broussard

Laird backs up Salt Shaker
Cat becomes 4th OF or gets time at DH / 1B
Vasquez does his thing.
Broussard is defensive replacement or plays against teams where he has a good match-up.

Of course, I’d also fire Ron Washington and let Howe manage this bunch.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Apr 20, 2008 11:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thomas

Why do you think he’s going to hit RHP any better than Cat right now?

If you bring him in, he should be platooning at DH with Cat, which he’s not going to want to do.

by Adam J. Morris on Apr 20, 2008 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Valid point

He won’t platoon, but damn I like the looks of the line-up above.

...it's the weekend, so why the hell not?

by Rodney on Apr 20, 2008 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

Does he have a job now? He might not want to but he sure will have to, or retire. Doubt he’ll quit now.

the truth.

by Longhorn on Apr 20, 2008 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My guess is...

...he’ll see if someone will give him a full-time DH job.

by Adam J. Morris on Apr 20, 2008 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This continues a noticeable trend

of teams going with young, cheap alternatives that can put up similar numbers to more expensive veterans.

Whatever gets you through the night, 'salright, 'salright.

by t ball on Apr 20, 2008 11:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

GMs?

the truth.

by Longhorn on Apr 20, 2008 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not sure that Matt Stairs

would qualify as young.

But if the Jays use the vacated roster spot for Travis Snider, then I see your point.

Pedro: "I wasn't cockfighting, I just have a wide stance."

by tricer on Apr 20, 2008 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lind

This might open up LF for Adam Lind, and they’ve added youth and gotten cheaper.

Whatever gets you through the night, 'salright, 'salright.

by t ball on Apr 20, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

eom

by knockoutking on Apr 21, 2008 1:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

they’d have added youth, but since they’re still on the hook for all of Thomas’ salary this year, it doesn’t really save them anything. (Though it does remove any possibilty of his 2009 vesting option coming to fruition.)

"Sabean did a good job on selling high on Liriano." -Excel Hearts Choi

by thedirkatron on Apr 21, 2008 1:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

vesting option

That’s a pretty good sized savings next year.

Whatever gets you through the night, 'salright, 'salright.

by t ball on Apr 21, 2008 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If replacements are younger, cheaper, and puts up similar numbers

it would be stupid not to use them.

by Telegraph on Apr 20, 2008 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

then why

are we messing around w/ Broussard over Shelton or Botts?

And Laird over Salty?

And Franklyn German over any number of AAA relievers?

I see other teams use the “younger, cheaper, similar production” model more often than the team that I’m a fan of, and that is frustrating.

Pedro: "I wasn't cockfighting, I just have a wide stance."

by tricer on Apr 20, 2008 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

A Lonestar in California - 2.0

by lonestarJon on Apr 20, 2008 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Boggs > Byrd

Duran better stick at UT over Vasquez.

"Hmn [sic] ... pehaps [sic] I've said too much..." - LSJesus

by Chase Irwin on Apr 20, 2008 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vesting Option

Thomas had a $10 mil option for 2009 that would have kicked in after another 300 plate appearances. So the Jays decided to cut bait.

I’m sure the Jays would’ve prefered to keep em if he was actually hitting.

by Baseball North on Apr 20, 2008 1:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey, if the Jays can release Thomas, and eat the contract

Why can’t we release Frank Catalanotto? And Ben Broussard?

A Lonestar in California - 2.0

by lonestarJon on Apr 20, 2008 4:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

3 things in Hurts' favor

The Jays said they offered to play him part-time and he turned that down so he won’t go to the NL for a few pinch hit appearances a week. So obviously as has been discussed here there are very few places for him to go; most everyone has a decent DH. Tampa and Seattle are probably it. I’m a Big Hurt fan but look how many talented hitters are sitting home. Three things in his favor. One is that was hot for 4-5 days and carried the Jays late in the first week this season which means 2 weeks later he hasn’t “lost it”. He was near the top of the league in walks which means he is seeing the ball well enough. Three; he’s getting paid by the Jays and will cost any team only the veteran minimum to sign, if Hurt agrees to that and I believe he would because he knows this is likely his last shot anywhere.

by Skip K on Apr 20, 2008 5:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Seattle would be wise to inquire, imo

"Hmn [sic] ... pehaps [sic] I've said too much..." - LSJesus

by Chase Irwin on Apr 20, 2008 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

From Rotoworld

Rod Barajas went 0-for-3 as the Jays’ designated hitter Sunday in the loss to the Tigers.
The Jays replaced a career .302/.420/.559 hitter with one who has batted .240/.288/.410 in 1,765 at-bats. That’s what those in the know call a downgrade. Now the Jays are calling up Robinzon Diaz, allowing them to give Barajas more time at DH. The rest of the teams on the Jays’ schedule should be thrilled.

link

by Randy Richardson on Apr 20, 2008 6:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs