How hurt will Frank be? (w/ Poll)

by gojohn10 on Jan 7, 2006 2:46 PM PST

Jerry Crasnick has an ESPN insider article on free agent veteran bats still available. Here is a snippet from the portion of the article on Frank Thomas. What he has here is really nothing different from Susan Slusser's article yesterday

Although Thomas has been dogged by ankle problems, he showed enough pop to make clubs think he can have an impact if healthy. He batted only .219, but hit 12 homers in 105 at-bats for a .590 slugging percentage. Thomas also helped amend his image as a "me first" guy by cheering on his teammates with his foot in a cast during the World Series. And unlike the other sluggers on the waiting list, he hasn't encountered a hint of steroid speculation.

...

Oakland remains a prime Thomas suitor

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Signing Thomas might create enough of a logjam that the Athletics have to move a hitter -- most likely outfielder Jay Payton. But that doesn't appear to be a major impediment to a deal.

The trading of Jay Payton if Thomas is signed is being discussed in OaktownIn06's Diary. Personally, I think it would be a mistake to move Payton if we are only doing so out of fear that he will blow up like last year in Boston because he was not getting enough playing time. Here's three reasons why: (1) Bradley (2) Kotsay (2)Thomas. All three of these guys have an injury plagued history and I suspect Payton would be getting plenty of at bats.

But the poll below deals with the appropriately named "Big Hurt". If healthy, this Walt Hriniak protégé would be a heck of a pick up (Here are Thomas' career numbers). Most people agree with that theory, but because that is a huge IF, the debate about Oakland's interest in Thomas mostly centers around his health. How many at bats do you think Frank Thomas will have in 2006? Cast your vote below.

Poll

Big Hurt at bats in 2006?

<150

16 votes

151-300

60 votes

300-450

49 votes

>450

11 votes

136 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

It's a trick question:

You said ABs, but a healthy Thomas walks so much that he could have relatively few ABs in a full--and most delicious--season!

by Nico on Jan 7, 2006 2:51 PM PST reply actions

C'mon Nico

I post ~2 diaries a year, why you gotta make me look bad? If it helps at all, his career number show that 80% of his plate appearances count as at bats, so you can extrapolate. Sheesh :)

Joe Blanton is phat

by gojohn10 on Jan 7, 2006 7:05 PM PST up reply actions

The trouble with the Internet

is I can't quite tell if you're serious or joking, but for the record I wasn't trying to make you look bad. I was just pointing out that in a season where Thomas only had 400 ABs for us, he could actually be playing 110 games, mashing 28 HRs, and sporting his patented .427 OBP. There are not too many players you could say that about.

by Nico on Jan 7, 2006 7:36 PM PST reply actions