Baseball Musings: Thome Changes Hats

November 23, 2005

Thome Changes Hats

Via Phillies Nation, Jim Thome is going to the White Sox. The Phillies are getting Aaron Rowand in return, two prospects, but they still are going to pay half of Thome's contract.

The teams are trading offense for defense. Rowand overall isn't an impressive offensive player. He had a great year in 2004, but a poor year at the bat in 2005. What he does do is catch everything from gap to gap. Given that the White Sox are built on pitching and defense, I'm surprised they would trade someone who makes their pitching staff better for an aging slugger. Do the White Sox have someone younger waiting in the wings? Without knowing who the prospects are, this looks like a very good trade for the Phillies. They got rid of an expendable player and upgrade their defense at a very important position. Another great Gillick trade.

Posted by David Pinto at 04:23 PM | Trades | TrackBack (0)

Comments

Rowand was on his way out as the Sox seem intent on giving Brian Anderson the CF job next year. It was just a matter of who the Sox were going to get in return. I'm happy they got Thome, but a lot depends on who the prospects are.

Posted by: Mike L. at November 23, 2005 04:48 PM

Brian Anderson showed promise in his short stint this season. For those who haven't given up on him, there's Borchard. I assume Podsednik will move to center which I think is a mistake.

Does Thome become DH or have the Sox given up on signing Konerko?

Posted by: Scott Janssens at November 23, 2005 04:48 PM

http://www.thegoodphight.com/ has Dan Haigwood and Gio Gonzalez as the two possible prospects. Seems like too big a haul for Thome, but if it's true then the Phillies got a great deal. I'd be amazed if this is really what Kenny Williams gave up for Thome though.

Posted by: jason at November 23, 2005 05:04 PM

After an October of hearing about the White Sox's big transformation from the station-to-station all-or-nothing offense to "smart ball", they downgrade their defense and team speed by picking up the world's most all-or-nothing hitter. Thome's a great guy, by all accounts, and he was once a great hitter, and DHing might help his back problems, but still ... And $22 million, too?? Can that possibly be right?

Posted by: Joel J. at November 23, 2005 05:20 PM

Oh, sorry. The Phillies are sending $ 22 million to the White Sox -- that must represent half the remaining contract. I had it backwards.

The Indians won't be happy facing Thome, I'm sure, but how smart was Mark Shapiro not to match the Philadelphia offer?

Posted by: Joel J. at November 23, 2005 05:26 PM

If the White Sox have other options at CF, then it's a good risk. Especially if they're unsure about re-signing Konerko.

The small-ball stuff was overblown, as Tim McCarver is wont to do. The White Sox' real offensive strength was broad-based power: they had a whole bunch of people in the 15-25 HR range, better than average power at every position except LF. Thome is capable of being a major contributor -- or a major bust. But Chicago can afford the gamble.

Posted by: John Walters at November 23, 2005 06:10 PM

I think Chicago can afford the gamble, if just cause winning the Series gives them a free pass. A friend of mine was just saying that the Sox wanted to give Rowand's job away, so this doesn't surprise me.
Thome is a risk, but the AL is the only place for him. But why not just re-sign Thomas if you want an old man with question marks at 1B/DH?

Posted by: James d. at November 23, 2005 06:14 PM

are the white soxs going for a repeat, they defenitly have the advantage for a few more years. They move move Thome to DH definatley and can resign Konerko. letting go of Carl Everatt and have Frank Thomas retire or sign with another american league team

Posted by: colin at November 23, 2005 06:54 PM

I've got to concede to Kenny Williams at this point. If last year showed anything, it showed that he can put a WS team on the field.

I realize I don't know much about Thome, but 190 at-bats isn't real impressive for a someone on the career downswing.

Posted by: Bob Kunz at November 23, 2005 07:14 PM

If the minor leaguers above are indeed part of the deal, seems like this could be a real winner for the Phillies in the long term. If Thome comes back and hits 40 HRs, he can certainly help the White Sox get to the playoffs again, but two top 10 pitching prospects plus Rowand helps fill two of the Phillies biggest needs (restocking the farm system and CF.) In the same way people are saying that Rowand was out of the Sox 2006 plans, the Phillies have no room for Thome. And now with a surplus of outfielders, Gillick has a lot of flexibility. He's got quality players that will appeal to different kinds of teams that can be moved. Burrell and Abreu would fit on a team that can take on some salary, while Michaels or Victorino are good fits for a club looking for a cheap option in the OF. I suspect this will have a domino effect in Philadelphia. And, giving up two top 10 prospects for someone who is injury prone, in his mid-30s and coming of a .209 year seems pretty risky any way you shake it.

Posted by: carl at November 23, 2005 07:35 PM

They should keep Thomas and hope that his inevitable stints on the DL occur when Thome is healthy, and vice versa:)

Posted by: JeremyM at November 24, 2005 12:30 AM

What about an injury prone right fielder becoming world series MVP?

Posted by: Frank at November 24, 2005 09:17 AM

I don't think we will know who wins this trade for a few years. It all depends on how the two prospects develop. I'm just glad that there won't be any 1B controversy for the Phils in spring training.

Posted by: Tom G at November 24, 2005 04:29 PM

I think there's no doubt that the White Sox do not sign Konerko...and why should they. Last year they didnt sign their two best offensive players...Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Lee...and they still did pretty good.

So who would you sign...Thome for $22 million or so...or Konerko for $70 million. Good move by Kenny Williams.

Speaking of Williams...if he were on the east coast, he'd be up for Sainthood by now.

Posted by: john at November 24, 2005 08:01 PM

The Sox will sign Paulie. Thomas' future is up in the air. If Konerko is signed, Thomas won't be wearing black and white pinstripes in Chicago. Podsednik will have great success in center with the young and talented Anderson in left. Williams has done what Chicago sports fans have always wanted......he's got a back-up plan! I have been a fan of Thomas for a long time, but it is time for him to finish his career in New York or Anahein. Good luck, Frank! Thanks for your dedication to Chicago and all the long balls!

Posted by: Anthony at November 25, 2005 10:11 AM

thomas to the a's.

Posted by: colin at November 26, 2005 08:07 PM

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