"big hurt" to the Jays??

[transplant99]

Why?

Not knowing what the $$ are...im surprised this guy would be a target.

Every available $ should go towards pitching IMO..especially in the division they find themselves.

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=184480&hubname=

[Flickered Flame]

Well I could care less about the Jays, but when will JP learn? He stills needs more pitching. As for the A's, losing Thomas would be a big blow but Billy must have another DH in mind.

[CaramonLS]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6177240

Rosenthal reports 23 million + an option (club) for the 3rd.

Now that is just a blatent overpayment for a 38 year old. Wow if this is true.

I agree with you tranny, pitching pitching and more pitching is the only thing that will win the division for the Jays.

[JiriHrdina]

Yeah doesn't make a lot of sense unless they are going to just give up on pitching and just try to out mash teams - course that never works.

[Flames in 07]

I think he made .5M base and 2M in bonus, hard to believe he's worth more than that.

[Ranchlander]

I thought they already had a bomber who couldn't do anything else (glaus).

[WCE]

If this deal goes through, I have to think that JP has given up hope on signing Vernon Wells to a new contract, will be shipped out for a pitcher.

Just a guess (if it is true).

[socalwingfan]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

Well I could care less about the Jays, but when will JP learn? He stills needs more pitching. As for the A's, losing Thomas would be a big blow but Billy must have another DH in mind.

I heard a rumor about Bonds and the A's if Thomas leaves.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by socalwingfan

I heard a rumor about Bonds and the A's if Thomas leaves.

I have read that several times already this offseason as well.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

I have read that several times already this offseason as well.

Makes a lot of sense from a marketing perspective.

[CaramonLS]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/art...15_212220_2784

Snet confirms the signing, but no cash yet.

[Footscray]

Wow I hope some of those rumours about the dollars are off. I wonder what a contract of that size that means for chances of re-signing Wells.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Makes a lot of sense from a marketing perspective.

Yeah marketing wise it makes sense but he could destroy that club house. Thats one thing about Oakland, the clubhouse has generally been a positive atmosphere, not what Bonds would do to it.

[JiriHrdina]

Hmmm. Thomas to the Jays reminds me of when Canseco signed with Toronto. Just seemed "weird". Can't picture it at all.

[RedHot25]

It is weird - he must become the permanent DH then? I can't see him displacing Overbay from the field.

I'm not sure what to make of this signing. The Big Hurt had a pretty good year last year....but he's old, had been injured a fair bit in the past, etc.

As for the pitching - yes, we need more pitching. And yes, Jiri, outslugging generally does not work.

However, almost everyone and their dog is looking for pitching. Including teams such as the NY Yankees, who will spend any amount that it takes (whether they are good or not - e.g. j. wright, pavano, etc). So with the market price being extremely high for pitching...do you effectively go for even more hitting and hope for the best?

Also, maybe this means a downgrade or stay at the approx level elsewhere. I.e. maybe we let both Zaun and Molina walk...and put in a kid or a cheaper defensive option.

WCE - as for Wells being traded for pitching...that is an intriguing idea. I think that is what, if you traded him, you would have to focus on getting back. But, that said, do you use a 38 yr old as his (wells) replacement? Frank may survive the year, but...I don't know.

[Footscray]

I think Thomas will be exclusively a DH for sure - probably a good chance that Wells gets swapped for a good pitcher now if that deal is over 6 million per. I am dreaming of them landing Dontrelle Willis for Wells as the Marlins are looking for a center fielder right now, with florida's payroll not likely though.

[flames_1987]

I'm waiting to see what JP does and then critique at the end of the offseason.

Say what you want about this move, but that's looking like one sick lineup....In no real order:

Johnson/Cat
Overbay
Wells
Glaus
Thomas
Rios
Hill
Shortstop
Catcher

[Flames in 07]

well they did need a DH with power, but at these dollars? Didn't Piazza have a decent year last year ... I was hoping they'd grab him.

They could use a middle infielder and a replacement for Lilly, I hope they have some bucks left.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Hmmm. Thomas to the Jays reminds me of when Canseco signed with Toronto. Just seemed "weird". Can't picture it at all.

Canseco turned out to be a great signing for the Jays though. Most important factor, however, was that it was a one year deal. Signing Thomas I have no problem with. Signing him for more than one year I have a huge problem with.

Of course, the residual effects of the Canseco signing was that after he nearly had a 40-40 season, he demanded $28 million over four years, which the Jays responded to by telling him to go take a hike. Roger Clemens then used that as his excuse to pull his "Other pitchers are making more money than me so I'm gonna whine and cry until I get paid more" stunt that saw him dealt to New York.

[habernac]

please, no. I really do not like Thomas, never have. Spend the dough on pitching.