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He's had a very good career.

Hall of Fame?????

He's had a very good career.

Hall of Fame?????
Broadhead | 04/21/08, 06:31 AM

He has the numbers offensively. He hasnt played the field that much in his career. I dont recall anybody ever being inducted to the Hall as a DH, but if anyone deserves it, its him

I really can't respect the full time DH. Seems like a cop out. No matter how big the hitting stats are, it just doesn't seem like a complete player. These guys should be able to play RF and 1B.

As a White Sox fan, I can say that I loved watching Frank hit. He had an amazing career, and seemed like a straight-up guy most of the time... BUT he always found something to cry about. He didn't think it would be appropriate to end his career on the bench, but he couldn't ask for a more appropriate ending than to go out crying about something.

I really can't respect the full time DH. Seems like a cop out. No matter how big the hitting stats are, it just doesn't seem like a complete player. These guys should be able to play RF and 1B.
Me DUM DUM | 04/21/08, 10:00 AM

A part of me feels the same way, the other part says, if they are going to create a role called the DH, might as well create a spot for them in the Hall

Well Frank, its been 19 years, can't go on forever.

Frank Thomas can end his career with the Rangers, or maybe play first base with the Giants. Of course, the Giants recently got done with Bonds, and Thomas is kinda similar.

Thomas and Bonds aren't the same. Thomas isn't surly, he just wants to play.

It's worth noting that Thomas was a 1B for the vast majority of his 19 years in the bigs. He DHs now because his knees are shot. His hand-eye coordination is still great, though. To me, there's a huge difference between Thomas, who moved to DH because he can't run anymore, and David Ortiz, who's a DH because he can't field. Therefore, Thomas gets HOF consideration while Ortiz doesn't.

And I'm confused as to why the Blue Jays cut him. They always complain about money and paying Thomas $10 mil to go away isn't good business, esp. when the team isn't exactly lighting it up offensively.

Ricciardi didn't want to pay him next year, it's that simple. Even if Thomas was hitting .300 with 5 homers, the Hurt wouldn't have seen those 300 or so plate appearances he needed for the $10 mil he was due next year. I mean, let's face it, Ricciardi judging a player's ability is kinda like Steve Hawking judging a marathon.

.277, 26 HR, 95 RBI last year. Someone will pick him up; he'll be fine.

But, apparently, Ricciardi and Ken Williams have become really good buddies...

naxself,

Couple of points:

1) If Thomas's hand/eye co-ordination is so great...why is he having major problems catching up to fastballs? I watched at least 10 games so far this year...it's obvious that he's lost a lot this year....

2) Sure, the Jays are on the hook for Thomas's salary this year....so the decision to dump him really doesn't cost them anything financially right? If Thomas is going to **** and be a bad teammate (which he showed on Saturday would be the case).......I don't care about the validity of his complaint....not material to me....just get rid of the guy if you feel his being a part of the team is detrimental.

Another plus is that it frees up at bats for a guy like Adam Lind (who should be called up shortly after he recovers from a minor current injury) and allows the Jays to be more judicious in how they use Matt Stairs as either a back up for Overbay, the corner OF spots and at DH.

Thomas and Bonds aren't the same. Thomas isn't surly, he just wants to play.

It's worth noting that Thomas was a 1B for the vast majority of his 19 years in the bigs. He DHs now because his knees are shot. His hand-eye coordination is still great, though. To me, there's a huge difference between Thomas, who moved to DH because he can't run anymore, and David Ortiz, who's a DH because he can't field. Therefore, Thomas gets HOF consideration while Ortiz doesn't.

And I'm confused as to why the Blue Jays cut him. They always complain about money and paying Thomas $10 mil to go away isn't good business, esp. when the team isn't exactly lighting it up offensively.
naxself | 04/21/08, 12:05 PM

He has played more games as a DH than he has a 1B

I don't much respect the DH role much either, but as an outlet for guys who get hurt but can still hit the ball, it ain't too bad. Look at Paul Molitor about a decade ago. He got seriously hurt to the point where his shoulder couldn't handle hard throws anymore, but he could still contribute, and was a major part of the Jays' repeat. I can accept a DH in that role, but young guys have no excuse to me

Secondly, this only has a little to do with the money. The issue is that he's batting .167. That is brutal, and, as everyone knows, the Jays play in the toughest division in baseball. They can't afford to have a DH who is making more than $10mil in the game hitting the ball only 16% of the time. Every game counts in that divsion, whether it be early in the season or later, because they all matter in the end, and this is Ricciardi's last chance to get in the playoffs as GM of this club. If Thomas were connecting with the ball, he'd be playing, and this wouldn't happen. If Thomas had of just taken his one game benching without causing a media circus (par for the course for a guy known to be a whiner for over a decade, but I digress), he'd still be getting his shot to play. If he was producing, the money would have meant nothing, but, he didn't produce.

The Jays don't pay Thomas the kind of money he signed for to go out and get fatter in the offseason and take the first half of the season to get back in shape. Show up in April in game shape, be ready to ht the ball, and get the job done. If you don't want to put the effort in, expect a benching. There is alot of pressure on this lineup to produce, and the last thing they need is a malcontent on the team messing with chemistry. I feel no pain for Frank Thomas here, he's the one who didn't do the job he was being paid handsomely for. Why should the Jays be on the hook to pay a guy who doesn't fulfill HIS end of the bargain?

and they didn't pay him 10 to go away, they avoided having to pay him 10 next year by getting rid of him...

Tough to face REALITY when it bites you in the ass !!!

There's a reason why they called him "The Big Skirt" in Chicago!

Rolen is trying to repair his tattered image with T.O., so we'll see if he is still a cancer or not, but my bet is not. Either way, he'll still be an improvement on Glaus...

Rolen is trying to repair his tattered image with T.O., so we'll see if he is still a cancer or not, but my bet is not. Either way, he'll still be an improvement on Glaus...
goCanada! | 04/21/08, 03:11 PM

goCanada, here in the US, we have actually replaced the word cancer with Rolen. For instance anyone born between June 21st and July 22nd is called a Rolen

Even last year this guy was 'cheating' on the fastball and pretty much a mistake/hitters count guy. Happens to everyone eventually. Took longer for father time to chase him down than most big guys.