MLB Rumors: Jim Thome Will Be A Nice, Cheap, Effective DH Option at the Trade Deadline
Philadelphia Phillies’ first baseman Jim Thome is proving to the masses he is still a fantastic hitter. Even though the Phillies finished their American League road-trip with a 3-6 record, gentleman Jim has given the last place Phils another trade chip, and the MLB Rumors will be abundant.
Thome, 41, finished the 9-game trip with a .333/.415/.722/1.137 slash-line, four home runs, and 14 runs batted in. Not bad for a guy who is supposed to be washed up. Although Jim Thome signed with the Phillies to be the primary pinch hitter and occasional first baseman, he proved once again why he belongs in the American League as a designated hitter. It’s safe to say the Phillies are likely out of playoff contention. There’s just too much that has gone wrong for Philadelphia this season. Whether it’s injuries, age, or just plain bad luck, the Phillies haven’t got anything going this year. Sitting nine games out in the NL East, with a 31-37 record, the Phillies will likely be sellers at the deadline. And there isn’t a better, cheap, low-risk, high-reward DH candidate than Jim Thome.
As I wrote few days ago, the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians should be looking for a better DH. Ergo, I suggested those two teams should look into Manny Ramirez. However, after seeing what Jim Thome did in the past nine games, I think Thome is the best DH available.
As a Chicago White Sox fan, the possibility of Jim Thome going to the Tigers gives me nightmares. I doubt the Indians would bring back Thome after doing it last season, so you can eliminate them as a possible destination.
The only other two reasonable landing spots for Thome are the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees. The Orioles make sense because their main DH, Nick Johnson, is made of balsa wood and could break at any time. Plus, there are rumors they are interested in Alfonso Soriano, who is a worse and more expensive option than Thome. In regards to the Yankees, Raul Ibanez has been alright, but can you imagine Thome in Yankee Stadium? Yikes. It would also give Thome a legitimate chance at his first ring.
Who knows how many home runs Jim Thome can add on from 608? But AL teams in need of a DH should be blowing up Ruben Amaro like he’s Carly Rae Jepsen.
Bryan is a featured writer for Rant Sports. Although he concentrates mostly on the game of baseball, you can find him covering things all over the Rant Sports Network.
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