NAPLES, Fla. -- The Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on a deal with free agent designated hitter Frank Thomas, two sources at the general managers' meetings told ESPN.com.
While it's uncertain whether Thomas' deal is for three years or two with an option, a source said the total value could exceed $30 million.
The agreement is contingent upon Thomas passing a physical exam.
I didn't know the Jays were even pursuing Thomas, but if they get him, that's probably the biggest offseason move to date. A Thomas-Glaus duo is really scary and give Toronto a huge edge for '07. They weren't all that bad in '06 and could shock a lot of people by potentially winning the AL East next season!
Of course, weren't we saying that same thing at this time last year?
"That's the thing: Maybe he'll be up and down this season, but when he's up, is there another center in the league quite like him? He protects the rim, passes out of double teams, has great hands around the basket, up-fakes on his jump-hooks, rebounds in traffic, even has a motor that keeps going and going (unlike a stiff like Eddy Curry). I'm not sure what's missing here. This is stunning. This is startling. There's almost no precedent for it. Just what the Lakers needed: More obscenely good luck. Meanwhile, I have to watch Al Jefferson whip jump-hooks off the front of the rim for the third straight season. I will now pour scalding hot water down my pants." -Bill Simmons on Andrew Bynum (11/08/06)
NAPLES, Fla. -- The Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on a deal with free agent designated hitter Frank Thomas, two sources at the general managers' meetings told ESPN.com.
While it's uncertain whether Thomas' deal is for three years or two with an option, a source said the total value could exceed $30 million.
The agreement is contingent upon Thomas passing a physical exam.
That physical might not be the easiest thing in the world for Thomas to pass. If they resign Molina, then the Blue Jays would have the 2 slowest players in the majors on their roster. If he stays healthy, they have a devastating line-up. But, this now means they can't DH Glaus when the injury bug hits him. If Thomas is gone, does this mean that Bonds in Oakland is a probability?
Originally posted by redsoxnationIf Thomas is gone, does this mean that Bonds in Oakland is a probability?
Oakland is all about having one of the lowest payrolls in baseball. Bonds will be asking for big money. So the chances of Barry landing in Oakland are just about zilch.
"That's the thing: Maybe he'll be up and down this season, but when he's up, is there another center in the league quite like him? He protects the rim, passes out of double teams, has great hands around the basket, up-fakes on his jump-hooks, rebounds in traffic, even has a motor that keeps going and going (unlike a stiff like Eddy Curry). I'm not sure what's missing here. This is stunning. This is startling. There's almost no precedent for it. Just what the Lakers needed: More obscenely good luck. Meanwhile, I have to watch Al Jefferson whip jump-hooks off the front of the rim for the third straight season. I will now pour scalding hot water down my pants." -Bill Simmons on Andrew Bynum (11/08/06)
Bonds does not have much, if any, leverage. Hence his agent running around saying, "a lot of teams want him. No seriously, it's true!"
The Jays got hit by unfortunate injuries a lot last year, otherwise, they could have likely given the Yankees a run for all their money. If the Jays sign one of the good free agent SPs out there (Lilly, Meche, Batista) and a quality SS, I'll start to believe they can win the AL East crown. And I say that as a NYY fan. Their closer was the best in all of baseball, I thought. A full season of Halladay and Burnett would help, as Burnett is one of the main reasons the Jays had a frustrating season. Chacin is decent, and they have a handful of young unproven SPs ready to settle in as the 5th starter.
More interesting than what happens with Thomas is what they do with Wells. That will determine what happens to their 2007 campaign. Is a Santana and Aybar package from the Angels sufficient? What's the big deal about Aybar anyway?
Given the relatively small amount ($12 mil) of money the Jays had for free agents this offseason, blowing 10 million of that on a 38-year-old with an injury history seems like a poor move. With Toronto having pressing needs in the bullpen, middle infield and (especially) the rotation, another bat is the least of their worries. The move only makes sense if they're planning to deal Wells and they need a slugger to compensate.
"I don't know what is more disquieting -- the fact that the rest of the statue is missing, or that it has four toes."
Originally posted by Big BadGiven the relatively small amount ($12 mil) of money the Jays had for free agents this offseason, blowing 10 million of that on a 38-year-old with an injury history seems like a poor move. With Toronto having pressing needs in the bullpen, middle infield and (especially) the rotation, another bat is the least of their worries. The move only makes sense if they're planning to deal Wells and they need a slugger to compensate.
It's still not quite as bad as the $55 mil they dumped on AJ Burnett's 49 career wins (versus 50 career losses!) last year. Thomas, if nothing else, is established and can get on base.