Thome--Next Year?

[WiscTribeFan]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post ... mlb-408944

Someone's gonna have to explain to me (and Antonetti) how the team could potentially keep two guys on the roster who can't play the field.

[swerb]

Please God no.

Hafner alone on this roster crushes this teams day to day lineup flexibility.

No thanks to watching Thome's career die in an Indians uniform.

[peeker643]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post/Thome-leaning-toward-return-to-Indians-;_ylt=Ak.doltTomuwQnV8KddZTnQRvLYF?urn=mlb-408944

Someone's gonna have to explain to me (and Antonetti) how the team could potentially keep two guys on the roster who can't play the field.

So much depends on what else they do but I don't see Thome and Hafner as two different players in terms of flexibility. They are basically one player. You'd be paying your DH $15m or so but it would be in the form of two people.

That gets to Swerb's point about roster flexibility I know. But if Jason Donald is the super-utility guy that eliminates one extra spot because he could play all infield positions as opposed to having a uif middle inf and a uif corner IF.

I can see from a production/security standpoint why they'd do it. But I can see why people don't think having two half-broken down DH's equates to one productive DH. That said, Thome isn't the problem so much as Hafner is.

[Dellucci TailGator]

If he wants to stick around, I'd rather they dump Fields and make him the hitting coach.

[Am I Here Again?]

If he wants to stick around, I'd rather they dump Fields and make him the hitting coach.

I'm for that^.

[1Perry]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post/Thome-leaning-toward-return-to-Indians-;_ylt=Ak.doltTomuwQnV8KddZTnQRvLYF?urn=mlb-408944

Someone's gonna have to explain to me (and Antonetti) how the team could potentially keep two guys on the roster who can't play the field.

So much depends on what else they do but I don't see Thome and Hafner as two different players in terms of flexibility. They are basically one player. You'd be paying your DH $15m or so but it would be in the form of two people.

That gets to Swerb's point about roster flexibility I know. But if Jason Donald is the super-utility guy that eliminates one extra spot because he could play all infield positions as opposed to having a uif middle inf and a uif corner IF.

I can see from a production/security standpoint why they'd do it. But I can see why people don't think having two half-broken down DH's equates to one productive DH. That said, Thome isn't the problem so much as Hafner is.

This.

This makes me think illogically. Indeed the idea of two DH's that can't play the field make no sense. Knowing that Hafner is going to break down almost makes one roll their eyes and say what the heck.

[pup]

Yes. Just what this team needs. A solid .240 hitter.

[peeker643]

Yes. Just what this team needs. A solid .240 hitter.

Actually, a solid .240 hitter would be an upgrade at a couple spots in the lineup.

Hater.

[Prosecutor]

If he wants to stick around, I'd rather they dump Fields and make him the hitting coach.

If he can do nothing more than to teach guys to lay off pitches 6" off the strike zone then he'd be worth whatever pitching coaches make these days.

[Stu]

Someone's gonna have to explain to me (and Antonetti) how the team could potentially keep two guys on the roster who can't play the field.

What are you talking about? I saw Thome play a good looking 3rd base on Sunday.

[Pressrunnr]

Only way I could see it work would be if they could trade Hafner for someone else's bad contract at a different position. Heck, they hate Lackey so much in Boston, I wonder if they'd kick in some of the diff. in salaries & take on Hafner as an expensive pinch hitter. Who knows, outside of Boston, maybe Lackey can bounce back -- wouldn't that boost Tribe's rotation?

[motherscratcher]

Lackey Blows. Completely blows. And he will continue to blow at $15mil per until 2014 or some such ridiculous shit.

Bad idea jeans.

[Am I Here Again?]

NO Lackey! I'd rather my dead Mother pitched for the Tribe....SHE wouldn't miss and piss as much as Lackey does.

[Kingpin74]

What's the problem? Thome's average wasn't pretty but his OPS was over 800. I'd hate to see him completely lose it next year like Swerb said, but are we really doing to do much better with $3M of free agent money?

And please don't consider Hafner's $13M in this debate, it's a sunk cost barring a trade (where we'd likely have to pick up most of the tab). Losing another roster spot would suck but you're making a giant assumption that Hafner stays healthy. Plus they can always get one back by keeping LaStrikeout in Columbus, making Santana the starting 1B, and signing a decent hitting catcher (with Santana as the backup).

[motherscratcher]

What's the problem? Thome's average wasn't pretty but his OPS was over 800. I'd hate to see him completely lose it next year like Swerb said, but are we really doing to do much better with $3M of free agent money?

And please don't consider Hafner's $13M in this debate, it's a sunk cost barring a trade (where we'd likely have to pick up most of the tab). The only legitimate issues are Thome's would-be production and the roster spot.

You're right. But that is exactly THE problem. But, you say it like it's a minor consideration.

I don't see how in the world they can justify another roster spot for another DH who we HOPE can approach something close to average.

[Kingpin74]

What's the problem? Thome's average wasn't pretty but his OPS was over 800. I'd hate to see him completely lose it next year like Swerb said, but are we really doing to do much better with $3M of free agent money?

And please don't consider Hafner's $13M in this debate, it's a sunk cost barring a trade (where we'd likely have to pick up most of the tab). The only legitimate issues are Thome's would-be production and the roster spot.

You're right. But that is exactly THE problem. But, you say it like it's a minor consideration.

I don't see how in the world they can justify another roster spot for another DH who we HOPE can approach something close to average.

I suppose, but I just look at the holes we still have and how expensive the free agent market usually is. I don't see how we would do much better with a relatively small one year salary like Thome's. And like a previous poster said, I think we have the utility guys to absorb the loss of a spot.

[pup]

I cannot believe this thread is still alive.

If these idiots give Jom Thome another contract (with or without the albatross of the Hafner contract), it will prove once and for all that nobody in that front office watches baseball games.

[Spin]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post/Thome-leaning-toward-return-to-Indians-;_ylt=Ak.doltTomuwQnV8KddZTnQRvLYF?urn=mlb-408944

Someone's gonna have to explain to me (and Antonetti) how the team could potentially keep two guys on the roster who can't play the field.

If Pronk were healthy 50% of the time (over the past four years) he could be included in the equation. But, in the post-roid-test-era, that's a pipe dream.

Thome is a much better veteran presence in the locker room, something neither Pronk nor Grady have been. And is capable of seeing 100+ games a year, being 7 years older.

But with no economical way out from under Pronk's or Grady's contract, Jim would have to play for next to nothing to come back to Cleveland for one more go.

[leadpipe]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post/Thome-leaning-toward-return-to-Indians-;_ylt=Ak.doltTomuwQnV8KddZTnQRvLYF?urn=mlb-408944

Someone's gonna have to explain to me (and Antonetti) how the team could potentially keep two guys on the roster who can't play the field.

If Pronk were healthy 50% of the time (over the past four years) he could be included in the equation. But, in the post-roid-test-era, that's a pipe dream.

Thome is a much better veteran presence in the locker room, something neither Pronk nor Grady have been. And is capable of seeing 100+ games a year, being 7 years older.

But with no economical way out from under Pronk's or Grady's contract, Jim would have to play for next to nothing to come back to Cleveland for one more go.

Hafner being a bad player post has more to with it than his injury history.

So he's healthy half the year. Thanks for the 11 and 40.

[Dnthateonthepronk]

I cannot believe this thread is still alive.

If these idiots give Jom Thome another contract (with or without the albatross of the Hafner contract), it will prove once and for all that nobody in that front office watches baseball games.

Stop Hating on Thome

[pup]

I cannot believe this thread is still alive.

If these idiots give Jom Thome another contract (with or without the albatross of the Hafner contract), it will prove once and for all that nobody in that front office watches baseball games.

Stop Hating on Thome

When he stops sucking.

[Dnthateonthepronk]

I cannot believe this thread is still alive.

If these idiots give Jom Thome another contract (with or without the albatross of the Hafner contract), it will prove once and for all that nobody in that front office watches baseball games.

Stop Hating on Thome

When he stops sucking.

He is the best 41 year old still playing

[pup]

I cannot believe this thread is still alive.

If these idiots give Jom Thome another contract (with or without the albatross of the Hafner contract), it will prove once and for all that nobody in that front office watches baseball games.

Stop Hating on Thome

When he stops sucking.

He is the best 41 year old still playing

Would like a word with you

[onlyindreams]

IMO a DH platoon of Thome/Hafner/Duncan would be perfect. Thome/Hafner play every other game against righties and Duncan plays against lefties. Then we would just have a bench of Jolbert Cabrera to fill in at every position in the field.

[Dnthateonthepronk]

I cannot believe this thread is still alive.

If these idiots give Jom Thome another contract (with or without the albatross of the Hafner contract), it will prove once and for all that nobody in that front office watches baseball games.

Stop Hating on Thome

When he stops sucking.

He is the best 41 year old still playing

Would like a word with you

He is better than him, and dont post that Skankee Trash

[ChoccoIndians]

I think it was great he made a return this year, but I think if he is still in an Indians uniform next year, hopefully it is one of a hitting coach. I think Hafner if fit will do nicely in the DH roll in 2012.

[Larvell Blanks]

I think Hafner if fit will do nicely in the DH roll in 2008.

I think Hafner if fit will do nicely in the DH roll in 2009.

I think Hafner if fit will do nicely in the DH roll in 2010.

I think Hafner if fit will do nicely in the DH roll in 2011.

I think Hafner if fit will do nicely in the DH roll in 2012.

Starting to become this generations Wait til next year!

[ChoccoIndians]

I guess its a case of if he maintains his fitness.

I thought the team played a lot better when he was playing the DH role well this year.

[motherscratcher]

I guess its a case of if he maintains his fitness.

I thought the team played a lot better when he was playing the DH role well this year.

By "maintain his fitness" I assume you are meaning that he avoid injury, correct? Is there anything from the last 5 seasons that makes you think this will probably be the case?

[1Perry]

I guess its a case of if he maintains his fitness.

I thought the team played a lot better when he was playing the DH role well this year.

By "maintain his fitness" I assume you are meaning that he avoid injury, correct? Is there anything from the last 5 seasons that makes you think this will probably be the case?

More so than Hafner but that doesn't negate the arguement that the Indians can't afford two part time DH's.

[ChoccoIndians]

I guess its a case of if he maintains his fitness.

I thought the team played a lot better when he was playing the DH role well this year.

By "maintain his fitness" I assume you are meaning that he avoid injury, correct? Is there anything from the last 5 seasons that makes you think this will probably be the case?

Most probably not, but you never know.

[motherscratcher]

I guess its a case of if he maintains his fitness.

I thought the team played a lot better when he was playing the DH role well this year.

By "maintain his fitness" I assume you are meaning that he avoid injury, correct? Is there anything from the last 5 seasons that makes you think this will probably be the case?

More so than Hafner but that doesn't negate the arguement that the Indians can't afford two part time DH's.

I thought we were talking about Hafner

[WiscTribeFan]

Looks as if Thome intends to play next year.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/j ... 2012-.html

[dazindiansfanuk]

Looks like Thome's agreed to a 1-year deal with the Phils.

I'm a little surprised he's going back to the NL to solely be a pinch hitter.

[peeker643]

Looks like Thome's agreed to a 1-year deal with the Phils.

I'm a little surprised he's going back to the NL to solely be a pinch hitter.

It was either going to be here or there. There were no other options.

[Pressrunnr]

I believe Howard's supposed to miss the beginning of the season. I know he can't play first, but that should at least give him ample pinch-hitting opportunities. And by the time Howard comes back, it should be about time for Hafner to go down ... hmm, this could work.