Hmm...

 

Frank Thomas should be here.

 

The crosstown series this weekend between the White Sox and Cubs is missing something without Sammy Sosa, Magglio Ordonez, Moises Alou and Carlos Lee. Even Jose Valentin and his Sosa heart-tap impersonation are gone.

 

Thomas should be here to add a little star value.

 

That said, now would be a good time for the Sox to plan on trading him.

 

That's right, with Thomas doing well early in his rehabilitation assignment at Class AAA Charlotte, the Sox should begin shopping the former two-time MVP.

 

The Los Angeles Angels are desperate for a designated hitter. They got their first home run from a DH last Sunday, becoming the last team to do so when Juan Rivera belted a three-run shot against the Detroit Tigers.

 

Considering the Sox have the best record in baseball without Thomas, who won't be invited back next season, it seems like a good fit for both teams when he is ready to face major-league pitching next month. The Angels are probably one of the few teams to whom Thomas, who has veto rights, would approve a trade.

 

Here is a fact: Thomas, who turns 37 on Friday, is playing in his final season for the Sox. After this season, the Sox can buy out Thomas' contract for $3.5 million. That would get them out of spending $10 million for Thomas' services in 2006.

 

I promise you they plan to do whatever it takes to avoid paying Thomas $10 million in 2006 -- even if it means spending $3.5 million to cut ties.

 

An easier solution is trading Thomas before it gets to that point. Get something for him now before he walks away.

 

Thomas is earning $8 million this season. The Sox won't spend $3.5 million to dump him, then offer him arbitration. That means they won't even get a draft pick when he signs elsewhere.

 

Thomas remains a presence in any lineup. The Sox certainly could use him, but for the first time since he hit town, they have proved they can thrive without the Big Hurt.

 

The Angels entered the weekend hitting a league-worst .226 in May. Their DHs had combined for a league-low 12 RBI.

 

The Angels, who open a four-game series against the Sox on Monday in Anaheim, Calif., have struggled to score runs. But they entered the weekend with a 2-1/2-game lead in the AL West.

 

They need a big bat. Thomas needs to go.

 

''There will be a day I exit, believe it or not,'' Thomas said last month. ''I'm resigned to that fact. I know you won't be here forever.''

 

After 15 years of marriage, the Sox should get something more than a canceled check for $3.5 million when they part ways with Thomas.

If this guy had checked out our team OBP and AVG, he wouldn't even be saying this stupid crap.

Edited May 22, 200520 yr by Jabroni

I am out of town, who does this guy write for?

I am out of town, who does this guy write for?

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The Sun-Times...

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/deluca/cst-spt-deluca22.htm

Well, Boston did win the World Series after trading Nomah.....karma?

 

OK, raise your hand if you're confident Dye and Konerko have fully regained their presence at the plate....

 

Yeah, me too. Worry about Frank's contract status after we're ordering our rings...

I'm one of the biggest Thomas fans in the world but I can't argue with his general premise. The LAA are leading their division & have spent a fortune to do so. Vladdy just got hurt.

 

It's a team who is desperate for a hitter like Thomas with good talent to trade. I'm not saying do it, but you would be a fool not to see what they are offering.

I'm one of the biggest Thomas fans in the world but I can't argue with his general premise.  The LAA are leading their division & have spent a fortune to do so.  Vladdy just got hurt. 

 

It's a team who is desperate for a hitter like Thomas with good talent to trade.  I'm not saying do it, but you would be a fool not to see what they are offering.

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But we are trying to win THIS YEAR. What could the Angels give us that would help us win more THIS YEAR than Frank Thomas? It's not like they are going to ship us Francisco Rodriguez for Frank and even he wouldn't help us win more than Frank.

Edited May 22, 200520 yr by Jabroni

But we are trying to win THIS YEAR.  What could the Angels give us that would help us win more THIS YEAR than Frank Thomas?  It's not like they are going to ship us Francisco Rodriguez for Frank and even he wouldn't help us win more than Frank.

 

Jabroni:

 

Great point! Let's keep Frank Thomas. I really wish Frank will retire as a White Sox.

But we are trying to win THIS YEAR.  What could the Angels give us that would help us win more THIS YEAR than Frank Thomas?  It's not like they are going to ship us Francisco Rodriguez for Frank and even he wouldn't help us win more than Frank.

 

What if it takes Frank 3 months to start hitting like it did after his last major surgery?

What if it takes Frank 3 months to start hitting like it did after his last major surgery?

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Even Frank's worst season of 2002 after coming back from his injury would still be a boon to our offense.

 

Frank (2002 season)

.252 AVG

.361 OBP

.472 SLG

.833 OPS

28 HR

92 RBI

77 R

88 BB

115 SO

Edited May 22, 200520 yr by Jabroni

Frank Thomas' ability to get on base and his presence in the batting order will probably help this team more in 2005 than anything they'd get in a trade.

 

This is a columnist looking for a story angle in a long baseball season, nothing more.

 

If Frank proves he can still hit, which I believe he will, the Sox will work out a new deal with him.

Frank Thomas' ability to get on base and his presence in the batting order will probably help this team more in 2005 than anything they'd get in a trade.

 

This is a columnist looking for a story angle in a long baseball season, nothing more.

 

If Frank proves he can still hit, which I believe he will, the Sox will work out a new deal with him.

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Bingo! Why do you think Paulie has sucked so bad this season?

 

no Frank = no protection in the lineup for Paulie

Edited May 22, 200520 yr by Jabroni

I can see the logic, we are 31-12 and we're not a fluke.

 

On the other hand, this is not the same situation as Nomar.

 

His role on the team is not defined yet, but I don't expect to just throw others aside to accomodate Frank.

 

Of course he should get his chance to play and produce, but not at the expense of others. We've got to find a healthy balance of Everett, Frank and Dye. Each is valuable to our success.

What if it takes Frank 3 months to start hitting like it did after his last major surgery?

 

What if Frank leads the Angels to the WS by knocking off the Sox in the playoffs?

Even Frank's worst season of 2002 after coming back from his injury would still be a boon to our offense.

 

Frank (2002 season)

.252 AVG

.361 OBP

.472 SLG

.833 OPS

28 HR

92 RBI

77 R

88 BB

115 SO

 

I didn't say SEASON. I said first 3 months. Frank hit .239 and was only on base at a .333 clip in 2002. We don't have a full season for Frank to get healthy. How long would we have for Frank to hit?

I didn't say SEASON.  I said first 3 months.  Frank hit .239 and was only on base at a .333 clip in 2002.  We don't have a full season for Frank to get healthy.  How long would we have for Frank to hit?

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Our current DH's OBP is only .310.

 

.333 > .310

 

And Frank's mere presence in the lineup would help our offense. I'm not trying to bash Everett here because I love the guy but Frank is a much better hitter, coming off of injury or not.

Edited May 22, 200520 yr by Jabroni

I didn't say SEASON.  I said first 3 months.  Frank hit .239 and was only on base at a .333 clip in 2002.  We don't have a full season for Frank to get healthy.  How long would we have for Frank to hit?

Personally, I don't want to waste time "waiting for Frank".

 

We are leading the league in wins. I don't want to lose any games waiting for him to get ready or get his rhythm. When he comes from Charlotte, he'd better be ready to produce or he shouldn't play everyday. That's the bottom line.

I think we can all agree our weakness right now is offense. KW's best mid-season acquisition could from in-house with Frank coming back.

This is not just a "stupid" scenario. There are some very valid points here that need some serious consideration. I'm not advocating it yet, because I need some time to think about it. It's a drastic step to take, imo. But, it may be the thing to do. I don't know.

I would trade Frank to the Angels for Casey Kotchman 1B and Jake Woods P

I would trade Frank to the Angels for Casey Kotchman 1B and Jake Woods P

The Angels certainly have a great farm system. Kendry Morales homered in his first game yesterday in high A ball, and Ervin Santana had been dominant because he got roughed up by Cleveland last week. Here's a guy the Sox could look at though, Chone Figgins.

I could only hope the Sox can get Kotchman the guy is going to be a stud.. I heard he is a very similar player to Will Clark.

I dont think the Angels would give him up

i'm beginning to doubt kotchman's ever gonna hit for exceptional power at 1B. i'd prefer frank's bat for a world series run.

The team needs a balance of veterans and youngsters, etc. What Frank Thomas can and does bring to this team by his leadership & his presence on the field can't be measured. He is a professional hitter, who will take the walk, go to the opposite field, hit with power, etc, and all that does is make the line up that much stronger. I think it will also help the likes of Paulie, Carl and Jermaine, as well as others. Frank Thomas deserves to be back in a Chisox uniform and helping this team to the championship. The man is headed to the Hall of Fame and I want it to be in a Sox uniform.

The team needs a balance of veterans and youngsters, etc. What Frank Thomas can and does bring to this team by his leadership & his presence on the field can't be measured. He is a professional hitter, who will take the walk, go to the opposite field, hit with power, etc, and all that does is make the line up that much stronger. I think it will also help the likes of Paulie, Carl and Jermaine, as well as others. Frank Thomas deserves to be back in a Chisox uniform and helping this team to the championship. The man is headed to the Hall of Fame and I want it to be in a Sox uniform.

 

I couldn't agree with you more. I think it just feels right that Frank should be back and help this team. After watching yesterday's game I'm convinced there's something special to this team. And I want Frank to be a part of it. After 20 games in the minors, I really think Frank will get the cobwebs out and be ready.