This just made my wife's day. She has never been big into baseball, but last summer, she actually started watching more and more Twins games with me, and fell in LOVE with Big Jim. She turns 40 this March and I've been holding off on buying that Thome jersey for her, now it's a no-brainer. Here's to another hit off the top of the flag pole~!
I'm very happy about this, because I kept seeing stories in my Twitter feed about all this interest from other teams and I figured somebody would overpay for him. Well, maybe the Twins are still overpaying...we'll find out.
Thome's back with Twins; Pavano could be next Posted by Joe Christensen
Last update: January 14, 2011 - 1:17 PM
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0diggsdiggCloseShare The Twins re-signed Jim Thome to a one-year contract today; Carl Pavano could be next.
General Manager Bill Smith said the team has had many discussions with Pavano and hopes to have an answer from him within the next week.
It sounds like Pavano is taking the weekend to think about the Twins' final offer, with a decision expected Monday or Tuesday.
"We’re very optimistic, very hopeful of bringing Carl Pavano back to this ballclub," Smith said.
Thome said he will go into a recruiting mode with Pavano in an effort to get him to return, too.
"I think Pavano’s a big part of what we did last year," Thome said. "I’ll be honest with you, I hope to God Pavano comes back because I think it would make our team very similar to what we had last year."
Thome is returning on a one-year deal that will pay him $3 million with incentives for plate appearances. Last year, he made $1.7 million, including $200,000 in incentives.
Thome, 40, said he will not enter 2011 assuming it's his last season. He'll go in hoping to play at least two more years. His back didn't give him as much trouble last year as it had in previous seasons.
"A couple years ago, I was a little banged up," Thome said. "And last year, I had an opportunity to not play every day. I kind of healed up a little bit from the little injuries that I had the year before. As I got going, I kind of learned my role. I was playing a little bit more, and I was like, 'I can still do this.'
"And then when I got home this winter and I wasn’t hurting, my body wasn’t beat up, I go, 'Wait a minute, this may work out.' "
Even if he's half as good as last year, $3 mil is a good deal.
HR leaderboard 589 THOME 609 Sammy Sosa - that'll be a fun couple weeks in September 613 Alex Rodriguez - tougher to catch 630 Ken Griffey Jr. - at the end of two years.
500 has lost it's aura, but 600 will probably significantly help his HOF chances.
Bonds hit 59 home runs in his last 3 seasons, ending his career at 42. Thome is 40 this year. DH should allow him to play for a little longer - he hasn't really been at 3b since 2005 has he?
Thome could easily be #6 all time before it is all over. In two seasons, he could pass Griffey. If he hits 24 this season you have to figure someone brings him back for another year.
1. Barry Bonds 762 L 2. Hank Aaron+ 755 R 3. Babe Ruth+ 714 L 4. Willie Mays+ 660 R 5. Ken Griffey (40) 630 L 6. Alex Rodriguez (34) 613 R 7. Sammy Sosa 609 R 8. Jim Thome (39) 589 L
On a related note, do you think A-Rod has a chance to hang 50 this year and overtake Mays this season?
"Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help." - Isaiah 58:7 (New Living Translation)
Originally posted by spfI was really hoping to see Slugger Jim take his mighty bat to another division.
As things stand right now is there any reason not to think the Twins take the AL Central in 2011?
Well, I think the Tigers can give Minnesota a run for their money with good singings like Victor Martinez and Brad Penny, both of whom I think will have better seasons than they did in 2010. If they don't under perform and/or get injured, I see both their bats and their pitching among the best in the AL.
That said, the Twins have won six of the last nine AL Central Division titles for a reason. I have them as the favorites; I just don't see them having a cakewalk against Detroit (and to a lesser extent, Chicago). Now, if only they can keep Mourneau & Mauer healthy and find a way not to shit the bed every time they face the Yankees, I would consider them favorites to win it all.
Originally posted by Guru Zimhe hasn't really been at 3b since 2005 has he?
I don't think he's played 3rd since about 1995. However in terms of fielding, you are correct, he left Philly after 2005 and hasn't really spent any time playing 1st base since.
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Wang - slight hamstring strain, will be back in April (nyjournalnews.com). Mussina - healthy, solid spring, consistant enough. Pettitte - slight back strain, but as of yesterday (sports.yahoo.com)