Frank Thomas Released

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 20, 2008 11:32 AM EDT

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3355502

I know we just got Dan Johnson, but shouldn't we be at least a little interested in Thomas? I doubt he adds any attendance, but maybe he does, who knows. He's probably good for an OPS+ over 100 as a DH and he adds more right-handed pop along with OBP to balance out with Pena.

2B Iwamura

LF Crawford

CF Upton

1B Pena

3B Longoria

DH Thomas

RF Hinske/Gomes

C Riggans/Navarro/DiFelice

SS Bartlett

Bench: UTL INF, Gomes/Hinske, Johnson, Catcher

They won't give me Bonds, so why not Thomas, assuming we feel he's worth the 320k needed.

via graphics8.nytimes.com

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Comments

He clogs the bases.

by P Brady on Apr 20, 2008 11:34 AM EDT reply actions

I'd love his bat

even though it would likely limit Gomes to LHP duty.

by GomesSweetGomes on Apr 20, 2008 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

i'm guessing he'd cost more

then he would be worth at this point. where has his bat been so far this year???

by davidsmarch on Apr 20, 2008 11:43 AM EDT reply actions

This year? Awful. But only 60 ABs

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 20, 2008 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

It is very hard to ignore him despite his poor start and age. But we have an awful lot of DH types already. Though they play positions, Hinske and Gomes are probably better suited to DH with only spot duty at the corner outfield &/or infield positions. And we still have Floyd returning, we assume. And Aybar, who probably makes Hinske even less likely to spend a lot of time in the field.

Of course, we could retool the entire team and sign both Thomas and Bonds as a DH platoon with Piazza to back up Navarro and Sosa as our right fielder. Welcome back the hit show? (I am not mocking your suggestion, R.J. It was just a stream of conscious braindropping.)

Anyway, when I first read the news, my immediate response was “is there any way we can use him?”. I don’t really see it, but it seems useful at least to think about it.

by bobr on Apr 20, 2008 12:13 PM EDT reply actions

I'd love it

I already go to games so I guess it wouldn’t make a difference for me, but as a guy who grew up an Auburn Tiger fan I’d love it. Back in the day Auburn used to have both him and Bo Jackson playing both football and baseball. I think it would be nice if we gave him a shot.

by usfraysfan on Apr 20, 2008 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

Normally, I’d love to have a guy with 11 BB in 60 AB with a history like Thomas, but if he wasn’t happy as a part-timer in Toronto, he probably won’t be happy as a part-timer here splitting time with Gomes/Hinske/Floyd.

by RATW on Apr 20, 2008 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

Would he be a part timer?

We could always spin him (or Hinske, or Floyd, or Gomes) as we near the deadline to a contender.

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 20, 2008 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m all for it. don’t we just pay him the minimum with toronto picking up the tab?

by websterjtc on Apr 20, 2008 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

Yes.

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 20, 2008 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Topkin:

Would the Rays have interest in DH Frank Thomas, who was released Sunday by the Jays? Maddon said before the game it was premature to make any comment because the situation was too “fresh,’’ but with the Jays having to pick up his salary it’s something the Rays likely would at least think about pursuing.

http://blogs.tampabay.com/rays/

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 20, 2008 4:36 PM EDT reply actions

Signing Thomas

Would be the next best thing to signing Barry Bonds.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Apr 20, 2008 6:12 PM EDT reply actions

He's worth considering

but I don’t think I’d keep Johnson after adding him. The bench you posit is frightening defensively. And then Floyd should be back at some point, plus someone would have to be dropped from the 40. I’d have no qualms about dropping Johnson for him though.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Apr 20, 2008 6:31 PM EDT reply actions

Thomas in Tampa - YES!

This wouldn’t be a bad option as long as he doesn’t negatively affect the clubhouse. The truth is that the Rays can’t score enough runs right now unless they string together 6 singles in a row. They need more “Pop” in this lineup and he would come cheap for a proven home run hitter. My vote is a yes but only if Joe would leave him in there and let him hit his way through his early season slumps.

by bellogee on Apr 21, 2008 7:28 AM EDT reply actions

Get Him

And bat him 5th in the order – no rookie should have the pressure of batting 5th during their first month in the majors.

by LeftRight on Apr 21, 2008 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

Sign Him AND Bonds

And give Jose Canseco a call too, he plays a mean RF.

by floridaroar on Apr 21, 2008 11:11 PM EDT reply actions

Trop walls are high enough

So no home runs should bounce off of his head into the seats.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Apr 21, 2008 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

You guys can havve Thomas, Bonds is ours.

Barry Bonds died for your sins.

by JI on Apr 22, 2008 2:43 AM EDT reply actions

No

Take Thomas and continental drift.

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 22, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Too late Bonds has been spotted in an M's uniform

doing PR work to correct his image.

You have to remember the average Mariner fan’s priorities are:

(in order)
1. Did the player go to high school in a Seattle suburb?
2. Does he get dirt on his uniform?
3. Has the player been caught using PEDs an apologized for it? (This makes him more likable).

..........[skipped, boring, mind numbingly stupid]

47. Is he talented?
48. Can he play ?

That is why the Crew at LL created this marketing angle to make Bonds palatable, nay, lovable to the average mariner fan: