Jones would have been nice. I'm not unhappy with Thome at $8 million a year though. Thome will likely put up a better AVG and OPS than Jones next season.
Jones will earn $13 million next season and $13.5 million in 2007. After that, he will be a free agent.
That press conference definately lessened the blow of losing Rowand. Thome seems like every bit of a good guy as Rowand is, except he can hit 40+ homers.
And we already faced the Phillies in interleague in 2004 at the Cell. And Thome hit 4 homers against us in that 3 game series.
It was funny when Thome tried to cover his ass on being a Cubs fan. Thome said that even though most people from Peoria are Cubs fans, a lot more of them will be Sox fans now that he's here.
Thome has been on a workout program since July to strengthen his back and keep his back troubles away.
Ack, Bruce Levine asking a question.
Yeah Thome, remind us all how you raped us at the Cell with the Indians.
Thome says he wants Konerko here too.
He says he doesn't care if he's playing first base or DH'ing.
Thanks guys. The link is up at WhiteSox.com. On the main page, there's a link labeled "Watch the press conference live." They have streaming video of Comcast on right now.
Regardless, Carl cannot play center field anymore. He is at best a shoddy left fielder. I expect him to sign on with some low payroll team as a full-time DH. I actually think it will be the Twins too.
Because we won the World Series, people forget how bad it was having Everett and Pierzynski in the 3-hole. Dye worked out there for a short time but he still isn't a #3 hitter.
I really don't see Kenny trading for Pierre. Pierre will cost a lot in terms of prospects and salary in 2006 and we already have a dirt cheap option in Brian Anderson who supposedly plays very good defense in center field. He also projects to put up Rowand-type offensive numbers.
I agree on speed, OBP, hitting for average, and defense but right now only Young would have any power in that outfield. Owens has zero power and while Sweeney is projected to show some power eventually, he hasn't yet.
Those ZiPS numbers still aren't half bad. They're basically Rowand's numbers at a fraction of the cost. By the way, look at Gload's ZiPS projections. Those are insane!
Perhaps the Indians for Coco Crisp and David Riske? Would you rather have seen Thome killing us again with the Indians like he did for all those years?