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Frank Thomas, DH?

I know it's unlikely, but it's more realistic than getting Miguel Cabrera to the A's.  Thomas is the prototypical A's hitter and DH, when healthy (OPS .905 last season).  Thomas would not have a regular job at Sox, but would get the full-time DH at Oakland for at least a year.  yes, he is 37, but he can still rake.  Anyway, he will not be cheap like Hatty, but signing the "Big Hurt" would be an indication that the new management is willing to open their wallet occasionally for a short-term hole in the roster.

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Interesting, but what's his health status?
Thomas has come to the plate just over 400 times the past two seasons combined.  I don't think this front office will take that kind of gamble, given the likely cost.

by boilerdan on Nov 7, 2005 12:14 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

big hurt
the nickname scares me...
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 7, 2005 12:15 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"an indication that the new
management is willing to open their wallet..."

So would signing Burnett (although, he doesn't quite fit the short term qualification of your post, if that was a qualification).  It doesn't make it a wise decision.  We must be careful when looking for the management to prove to the fans that they are willing to spend more; we must seperate the desire for proof of that from smart decisions.  Maybe not signing the ominously nicknamed big hurt would be the wise decision.  I, for one, am for getting him if for 4-6 mil/yr for 1-2 years, but will not say that not signing him is an indication of scrooge-like finances.

This organization has already proven that they are about winning when it comitted to Beane, I do not need constant reassurance, especially if that reassurance would pressure the management to take risky moves that they would otherwise not make (again, I think that Thomas at the right price could mitigate risk, and be a smart decision, but disconected from an indication that management is comitted).

If they want to prove to me that they are comitted to winning (something they have aleady done, as I have said previously), they can continue to lock up our young studs, when the time comes try a little harder to resign our players (but again, not to the detriment of the franchise) and decidedly NOT just go after players, PARTICULARLY in free agency-where just about everyone is overpriced, because they want to keep up the image thay they are doing someting for the off-season mental health of the fan base.

But, one last time:  The Big Hurt would be a nice addition if he's not... well, hurt a significant portion of the season.  If it isn't the right price, then I implore you, management, to WALK AWAY.   What's that line, 'you can always recover from the player you didn't sign, you may never recover from the player you did sign, but at the wrong price,' or something.

by StewFan on Nov 7, 2005 1:42 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Short term needs.
While A's need for a flame-throwing starter is debatable, the need for a big righty bat is unquestionable.  Thomas may be considered damaged goods by some teams (past injures history/lack of any history of defense), which makes him less expensive.  The A's would only compete with teams in AL.  Though any team in theory could decide to through $3mil+ to Thomas, off the top of my head, only Toronto has a significant hole at 1B/DH AND is willing to take a one-dimensional player like Thomas.  but that's just my guess.

by hedgehog on Nov 7, 2005 8:58 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Burnett was just my example
of how management could 'show the fans their comitment' while having a bad signing. I do not think we need A.J. (or any SP, really).  I just wanted to be wary of asking the management to make any move to prove anything to the fanbase (just field a good team as best they see fit, I don't need a signing to show me anything).

As for the market for Thomas, specifically, I believe that Chi will get the first crack at him.  That organization will be told first (and also have the best idea, given they've been dealing with his injuries/recoveries for years) how his foot and other ailments are coming along.  The ChiSox will be his first choice, no question about that.  If they do not want him because of their take on his injuries, then I do not think that would bode well for his recovery and the other teams should beware.  If they do want him, then he probably stays.

The best chance the A's have is if he is healthy, but the ChiSox spend too much time and/or money retaining Paul Konerko (justifiably and admittedly their top priority), thusly offending Thomas.  I believe he'll wait until Konerko signs to at least gague their interest/respect for his signing.  If he is put off by a percieved lack of respect (something that has been an issue with him in the past) and he decides that it isn't worth it for him to try-as he probably wants-to stay with the franchise for which he has become iconic, then a highest bidder/best situation war ensues between the remaining clubs.  The A's lose a straight up bidding war.  But if the A's court him early and flatteringly before it becomes apparent that Chi doesn't want him (as much as he wants to be wanted), then they may get the drop on the remaining clubs.

So:  outside chance, but I'm neither holding my breath nor without reservations.

by StewFan on Nov 8, 2005 3:05 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'd like to see us gamble on Big Frank...
As long as the price tag isn't too high.  Maybe 3-4 mil would do the trick.  At any rate it would certainly be taking a huge risk, one with potentially tremendous returns.  Thomas has not lost any power, and still has that tremendous command of the strike zone.  What he has lost is some bat speed, so it would be unreasonable to expect an average close to .300.  However, If he's anywhere close to healthy, he will make his trots to first and around the bases.  I'd say .250/375/525 is a reasonable projection, with around 250-300 at bats at DH.  I understand there is a healthy risk of Thomas succumbing to injuries, but I'm sick of Oakland never taking chances.  Sometimes it's better to take a calculated risk than to sit back and watch.  Nonetheless, If Thomas is looking for bigger money or anything more than a 1 year deal w/ an option, I wouldn't give him the time of day.

by Little Rickey on Nov 7, 2005 1:55 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

For the same bucks we can get
a healthy everyday player that can also field a position occaisionally

by Billy Ball 2005 on Nov 7, 2005 2:05 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What position do we need fielded?
Our defence is great, we don't need another glove. Just a bat.

by MrIncognito on Nov 9, 2005 4:33 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What position do we need fielded?
Our defence is great, we don't need another glove. Just a bat.

by MrIncognito on Nov 9, 2005 4:33 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

heavy incentive-based contract
if he'll take it, we should offer it to him. i bet he'll get better offers and more guaranteed money from the teams w/ deeper pockets, though. but if he takes a deal w/ us predicated on him getting a higher salary if he gets, say 400 AB's, he's worth it. cuz if thomas gets 400 AB's in a year, he'll probably have a better year than any of our recent dh's.
"welcome to ME, motherf*^*er!" - tim hudson

by guy incognito on Nov 7, 2005 2:17 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

As I've said earlier
400 PAs (100 games) at a 900 OPS is a worthwhile investment.
Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Nov 7, 2005 3:06 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Over two season?
Because that's how long it takes for the Big Ouchie to get 400 PAs.

by Ozzz on Nov 7, 2005 9:18 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that's how long
it took the last 2 years, not how long it necessarily takes (present tense) starting from 2006. that's no guarantee that he's going to be injured.

by vishal on Nov 8, 2005 1:15 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Two years older than he was...
And not exactly surprising many with his ability to be injury-free in the playoffs.

by Ozzz on Nov 8, 2005 2:55 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

for a $2 million/year
flier, sure i would take him. but would he take it, that is the question...coming from a $10 million /year contract, this is high unlikely. money=respect.

by suggy on Nov 7, 2005 4:24 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Frank Thomas for under $1M
I'd do it.  Anymore than $1M and the Big Skirt can take his injury act to another team's DL.  

I don't really want the guy at all.  He can't field.  There's no positional flexibility with him.  He'll spend most of his time on the DL, meaning we still need another option for the games he misses, something that a low-budget team cannot really afford.  

If he wants to sign for less than $1M, it might be worth it to have him around.  Otherwise, we're just throwing money away on a guy we'll have to have a ready backup for anyway since he's injured all the time.  

by Uncle Charlie on Nov 7, 2005 6:52 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think the White Sox are interested in
signing him, but are waiting for a prognosis on his injured foot. At least, some news articles were saying this.

If he's healthy, he'd be a terrific sign (assuming he's sign for a reasonable amount of $$). But if he's healthy the A's won't be the only suitor. And if he's not --- no way!

by OaklandSi on Nov 7, 2005 7:29 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Here's my question
Why not spend the money on someone who'll probably stay healthy?

by grover on Nov 8, 2005 5:12 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hey grover
when is part II coming?
...it's like an angry mob confronting a deaf-mute who is signing curse words at them.-Monkeyball

by gatling on Nov 8, 2005 8:30 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Eventually
'Fraid I can't be more exact than that.

by grover on Nov 8, 2005 4:20 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think the logical answer is
that healthy, proven, and in-their-prime players are unaffordable, so you look for "best flawed available" and decide whether that's someone whose health may be better than it is at risk to be (Thomas, Nomar), someone who may still be productive at his more advanced age (Giles) or someone who may be better than he has proven yet over time (Howard, Milledge, etc.). If you think Thomas or Nomar will stay healthy, then they could logically be the best risk--after all, they are already proven and are not, by age, past their productive years.
Nico

by Nico on Nov 8, 2005 8:18 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I still think Nomar is our best option
I don't care if he's $5 - $7 million a year.  We can plant him at DH and then he can fill in at shortstop if Crosby goes down for the third consecutive year.  We can also use his glove and experience at 3B if Chavvy's shoulder starts acting up (Have surgery already!).

This is a value that would fit in nicely in the 3 spot in the lineup.

by RunRickeyRun on Nov 8, 2005 11:50 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Croz
Third consecutive year?
Olympian Amil Gartenamo, world record holder in both the javelin and the hundred yard dash--only person who ever died by throwing a spear into his own back.

by Furious George on Nov 8, 2005 11:59 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Didn't he miss games due to a back injury?
I know it was only 11 or so, but he's shown a proclivity for injury.  The different body parts that he's hurt are stacking up:
back
ribs
wrist
ankle

Nomar would be a good DH and good insurance in case the trend continues.  

by RunRickeyRun on Nov 8, 2005 1:01 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

2004
Bobby only missed 11 games his rookie year and as far as I can remember those were just some occasional days off.  He certainly was injury prone this season, but you don't spend several million on a guy as an insurance to someone making near the league minimum.  Sure Nomar would probably DH much of the time, but I'm doubting that we could convince him to become our DH.  Plus that fidgety routine of his would really get on my nerves.
Olympian Amil Gartenamo, world record holder in both the javelin and the hundred yard dash--only person who ever died by throwing a spear into his own back.

by Furious George on Nov 8, 2005 1:25 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He did have back problems
But he only missed, I believe, 2 games because of it. He had a back spasm issue in the middle of September in 2004, but only missed 2 games. Actually, I think he only missed one game and the next was an off day, so they just gave him an extended break.

I think Bobby just had some bad luck this year. I honestly don't think he will have these problems next year. I think next year he really wants to work hard and make up for the disappointing year he had this year.

"If I'm not having fun, then I am not playing well" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Nov 8, 2005 1:34 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I can't believe we're
talking about Nomar Garciaparra as being insurance for injury.
Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Nov 8, 2005 1:51 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

haha
Yeah good point salb.
Lets trade for B.J. Upton as a late inning defensive replacement.
And sign Bengie Molina as a pinch runner.

Can anyone think of some others?

Olympian Amil Gartenamo, world record holder in both the javelin and the hundred yard dash--only person who ever died by throwing a spear into his own back.

by Furious George on Nov 8, 2005 2:42 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sure.
I'm sure we could get Cecil Fielder in to add a bit of youth and speed around the bases.

by Ozzz on Nov 8, 2005 2:56 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nomar
The guy's latest injury was a torn groin when he tried to get out of the batter's box. Even DH is no guarantee of health.

by grover on Nov 8, 2005 4:18 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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