Fresh off a weekend sweep of the Indians, the Tigers send Justin Verlander to the mound against the streaking Rays tonight. Here are links from the AL Central as Verlander looks to build on the Tigers' division lead and boost his Cy Young candidacy…
- Twins manager Ron Gardenhire admitted that Minnesota was likely going to non-tender outfielder Delmon Young after the season, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com (on Twitter). Instead, the Twins traded him to the Tigers.
- In a detailed piece, Rany Jazayerli explains that he doesn't like the Jeff Francoeur extension for the Royals, even though there's a good chance it'll work out and it probably won't hurt the Royals terribly.
- Twins slugger Jim Thome has wanted to return to the Indians ever since he left Cleveland in 2002, according to Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com (on Twitter). Thome hit waivers earlier today.
- MLB executives tell ESPN.com's Buster Olney that if the Twins gave a valued player like Thome away for nothing, it would draw major scrutiny (Twitter links). For example, there would be loud protests if the Twins released Thome so that he could sign with the Phillies or another team of his choice.
- Indians GM Chris Antonetti and manager Manny Acta both acknowledged to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian that their high profile summer acquisition, Ubaldo Jimenez, needs to make mechanical adjustments and modify his pitch sequencing (Twitter link).
Why would the Twins even think about releasing Thome? That doesn’t make any sence.
To give him a chance to win a ring.
That still makes no sense. How the hell does that help the Twins?
They are not going anywhere and not getting anything for Thome. Why not help the guy out everything you hear he is a great guy. Give him a shot at a ring.
then why would you send him to cleveland? 😉
Last i saw Cleveland is in contention
I’m pretty sure he knows that. Hence the 😉
That is not how business work. Give me one example of when a guy was released because he was a good guy and they wanted to do him a favor. Thome has been productive. No reason to release him
What does his production matter to a team way out of the playoffs when you could get some guys at bats that are going to be there. And I’m not saying they well release him but what I’m pointing out is he is no help to the Twins in anyway, production or not he is an old man on a bad team. The Twins have to begin looking to the future not dragging along a 40 year old vet. Plus they got what they wanted in home run #600 and made their money out of the deal off that.
That’s why you trade him, not release him. He is close to a type B on the Elias Rankings so maybe you get a draft pick at the end of the year.
Very likely Thome retires, so no draft pick compensation.
Do we know if Thome really was waiting for 600 hrs to retire or were we all just assuming? He can still play, could platoon at DH. Sammy Sosa’s number 7 spot is within reach.
Thome said on a MLB network interview that he would like to play 2 or 3 more years as a full-time DH in the American League somewhere and that was a interview during the All-Star Break this year.
IMO this would be the perfect storm for the Indians Hafner is always hurt and 2012 his contract is up and BTW how many American League teams have a DH that hit 10-15 homers a year in the middle of the line-up.
IMO Antonetti should just grow a pair and cut his loses and offer Thome a 2 year 15 mil deal with incentives so the contract each year 2012 & 2013 would max out a 10 mil per. I believe that if Thome was a full-time DH he could still hit 265 w/ 25 to 35 homers
Just a thought
You do it because it earns you the respect of other players in the league, something that may impact later decisions those players make when deciding between contract offers.
Just because you were puton waivers doesn’t me you’re going to be released. However, if he is claimed by a contender then they may allow a trade for a nobody or simply let the team take him. Again, the Twins have gotten out of him all they can now that he’shit the 600th. If he wants tocome back then I’m sure they’ll pick himup in the offseason.
“now that he’shit the 600th”
Best. Typo. Ever.
hahaha…..between my damn sticky keyboard (not because of …ya know) and the damn swype on my epic i’ve been typing a lot crazy stuff of late.
I don’t usually bad-mouth the Tribe, ’cause, as a fan, I have no place. Were I actually involved in the organization, then my comments may hold some ground. But I thought (hoped) that was going to say “Indians GM Chris Antonetti and manager Manny Acta both acknowledged to MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian that their high profile summer acquisition, Ubaldo Jimenez, was a wasted trade and they completely regret it.” Oh, well… I guess that’s just how I feel…
The best trade for the Tigers was the one that the Indians made.
I was going to say that it’s too early to really call the UJ trade a “bad one” but part of me is glad the Yanks didn’t do it because we needed someone (as did the Indians) to hit the ground running. However, the NY fan demands immediate performance and if he had struggled as he has in NY then mentally it may have been tough for him if he didn’t finish the season strong. Not saying he is weak mentally because I obviously don’t know him, just saying the media would’ve buried him early and blasted Cash for trading away the package it would’ve taken to get him.
Not sure why teams would protest. If they released Thome to sign with the Phils, well Thome doesn’t have a great career as a pinch hitter. If they release him to sign with Cleveland… well does anyone think he’d be the missing piece to beat Detroit?
No not the missing piece but better than Hafner. He at least plays
Hafner went on DL today. I really don’t understand Olney’s point. Doesn’t Thome have to go through waivers even to be released?
No, a player does not have to go on waivers prior to an outright release.
Yes, they do. Release waivers. But Thome can reject any team and become a FA.
But it says he hit the waivers today anyway.
But it says he hit the waivers today anyway.
What’s not to like about the Francoeur extension? Was in KC for the Sox series and the guy can hit and play the field. The top of that lineup has some punch with Gordon, Butler, Hosmer and finally living up to it Melkey. They have a few kids at the bottom of the order with potential. Francoeur has some nice gap power and I would have loved to see him in RF for Boston. Still young. Lock them up when they are young.
Rany is a hack.
I wouldn’t mind having Thome back, maybe it would light fire under Dunn!