Thome breaking out of slump?

[gosox41]

People have said they have seen signs of Thome breaking out of his slump. What signs? The HR's? His average hasn't risen lately. What are people seeing in this guy. It seems like a lot of his HR's are against his former team. And while that's all well and good, I don't see why he is batting 5th and people are getting excited about this guy 'breaking out'. Thome is more like Dave Kingman right now. In terms of former Sox, he reminds me of the 1984 version of Luzinski.

 

The season is 30% over and this 'great hitter' has managed to piss it away. I don't recall great hitters slump for almost 1/3 of the season. If we're stuck sticking with this guy, 8th seems like a good spot to bat him. And outside of facing CC, don't start him against lefties.

 

I can see where this is going. The Sox will continue to contend and keep putting Thome out there day in and day out He'll hit .220, 30 HR's and 160K's (with a very good OBP) and we'll be stuck with him next year when his option kicks in.

 

So, someone give me a reason to have faith that he'll be a productive hitter this year. Time is running out.

 

 

 

Bob

[Kyyle23]

[BobDylan]

Because he's big?

 

If he helps the clubhouse, he's worth keeping around for the long haul this year. (If he's hitting jack at the ASB, start limiting his AB's.) But there is no way he should bat anywhere above the 6 slot right now.

 

If he doesn't help the clubhouse like people say, I'd hope KW is calling teams and feeling out interest. I don't care if Thome does manage to turn it around, anyway. It's time to get younger.

 

I think, regardless, KW has to get rid of one of Thome/Konerko by the trade deadline. Get some speed in the line-up. Even if it's not at the top.

[almagest]

If he doesn't help the clubhouse like people say, I'd hope KW is calling teams and feeling out interest. I don't care if Thome does manage to turn it around, anyway. It's time to get younger.

 

I think, regardless, KW has to get rid of one of Thome/Konerko by the trade deadline. Get some speed in the line-up. Even if it's not at the top.

 

There are, at most, 2 or 3 teams in the entire MLB that could use Thome. And that's IF he gets the average up. I don't see anyone taking on Konerko's contract with his current performance, either. We're also in first place right now, you know. Generally teams don't trade their DH or 1B while in first place.

 

Also, please explain how speed helps at DH, or 1B. Or what the Sox should get in return for Thome/Konerko.

[witesoxfan]

People have said they have seen signs of Thome breaking out of his slump. What signs? The HR's? His average hasn't risen lately. What are people seeing in this guy. It seems like a lot of his HR's are against his former team. And while that's all well and good, I don't see why he is batting 5th and people are getting excited about this guy 'breaking out'. Thome is more like Dave Kingman right now. In terms of former Sox, he reminds me of the 1984 version of Luzinski.

 

The season is 30% over and this 'great hitter' has managed to piss it away. I don't recall great hitters slump for almost 1/3 of the season. If we're stuck sticking with this guy, 8th seems like a good spot to bat him. And outside of facing CC, don't start him against lefties.

 

I can see where this is going. The Sox will continue to contend and keep putting Thome out there day in and day out He'll hit .220, 30 HR's and 160K's (with a very good OBP) and we'll be stuck with him next year when his option kicks in.

 

So, someone give me a reason to have faith that he'll be a productive hitter this year. Time is running out.

 

What precedence is there for Thome ever hitting .220 while healthy?

 

A weird/good sign is that he's hitting righties at a sub-.200 clip.

[Dick Allen]

Because he's big?

 

If he helps the clubhouse, he's worth keeping around for the long haul this year. (If he's hitting jack at the ASB, start limiting his AB's.) But there is no way he should bat anywhere above the 6 slot right now.

 

If he doesn't help the clubhouse like people say, I'd hope KW is calling teams and feeling out interest. I don't care if Thome does manage to turn it around, anyway. It's time to get younger.

 

I think, regardless, KW has to get rid of one of Thome/Konerko by the trade deadline. Get some speed in the line-up. Even if it's not at the top.

 

Thome and Konerko are going nowhere. They both have no trade protection. Thome would only interest a couple of teams, and they are teams he most likely wouldn't be interested in moving to. Konerko would probably have to go to Arizona or LA and they probably don't think they need him now. I'm sure both will start hitting pretty well soon.

 

[RockRaines]

So, someone give me a reason to have faith that he'll be a productive hitter this year. Time is running out.

 

 

 

Bob

his career numbers. Done.

[BobDylan]

There are, at most, 2 or 3 teams in the entire MLB that could use Thome. And that's IF he gets the average up. I don't see anyone taking on Konerko's contract with his current performance, either. We're also in first place right now, you know. Generally teams don't trade their DH or 1B while in first place.

 

Also, please explain how speed helps at DH, or 1B. Or what the Sox should get in return for Thome/Konerko.

 

You remove Konerko, Swisher moves to 1B. That opens up a slot at CF, with 2B already being a need. You remove Thome, then Dye goes to DH and either Quentin or Swisher to RF. That opens up CF again. Didn't think I needed to spell it out.

 

And, what other teams do to posture themselves for a run at the pennant, I don't care. The team needs speed and they can get somebody who, at the very least, can go 1st to 3rd on a single for a Konerko or Thome.

 

And Konerko's contract, look at the numbers. 12 million annualy. That's not a bad contract when you look at Konerko's upside. In fact, it's a steal. And that's what it was considered when it was signed.

Edited May 27, 2008 by BobDylan

[BobDylan]

Thome and Konerko are going nowhere. They both have no trade protection. Thome would only interest a couple of teams, and they are teams he most likely wouldn't be interested in moving to. Konerko would probably have to go to Arizona or LA and they probably don't think they need him now. I'm sure both will start hitting pretty well soon.

 

That's the problem. And they aren't the only one's with no-trade protection. KW has handed out those clauses like candy the past few years.

 

I mean, if I have to give a middle reliever a no-trade clause to sign him, then I'm not going to sign him. Linebrink has been great, but next year? The year after that? Then the year after that?

 

I applaud what Kenny has done with the team, but he's signed himself into a trap. If he can't find a way to move Konerko and/or Thome, then the team has to wait 2 more years to go the direction they should have gone last off-season. Fortunately, they're in first place.

Edited May 27, 2008 by BobDylan

[BobDylan]

his career numbers. Done.

 

So Mike Sweeney, Frank Thomas, Kenny Lofton, etc., they all deserve a free pass because their career numbers are good?

 

Or are you saying that Thome's career numbers are merely a reason for hope?

Edited May 27, 2008 by BobDylan

[WCSox]

I really hope that Thome is fighting some nagging injury, because his bat looks incredibly slow right now. If he's healthy and still hitting .220 in August, he's probably done.

 

[Steve9347]

his career numbers. Done.

[gosox41]

his career numbers. Done.

 

 

Then why isn't Fisk still catching for the Sox?

 

 

There's a time when age catches up to a player. Unfortunately, it looks to be here now for Big Jim

 

 

 

 

[gosox41]

That's the problem. And they aren't the only one's with no-trade protection. KW has handed out those clauses like candy the past few years.

 

I mean, if I have to give a middle reliever a no-trade clause to sign him, then I'm not going to sign him. Linebrink has been great, but next year? The year after that? Then the year after that?

 

I applaud what Kenny has done with the team, but he's signed himself into a trap. If he can't find a way to move Konerko and/or Thome, then the team has to wait 2 more years to go the direction they should have gone last off-season. Fortunately, they're in first place.

 

 

There is a way to get rid of Thome: bench him. Don't let him get the plate appearance he needs.

 

The Sox should pick a realistic dead line, whether it's 1/2 through the season, Alll Star Break, tomorrow, the trade deadline. If he's not hitting by then, it's time to bench him.

 

 

 

Bob

[gosox41]

 

 

I'm glad it doesn't bother you that our former #3 and current number 5 hitter is hitting about .200 with lots of strike outs. If this keeps up, should I order my World Series tickets for this year and next year or just this year?

 

 

 

Bob

[witesoxfan]

Then why isn't Fisk still catching for the Sox?

 

 

There's a time when age catches up to a player. Unfortunately, it looks to be here now for Big Jim

 

Because Carlton Fisk is 60 years old; that a good enough reason for you?

 

Jim Thome put up a .275/.410/.563/.973 line last year...by and large, players don't completely fall off the face of the earth in one year. Let's not forget that Thome hit .230-something in May and June last year...he got off to a better start and the Sox were terrible so it was all forgiven. And let's not forget that, according to OPS, Thome is the 5th best hitter on the Sox right now.

 

He's not hitting for average at all, but he's getting on base and he's hitting for power. If he ever starts hitting for average, he'll be good old Big Jim again.

[max power]

This board often latches itself on to an idea, then everyone piggybacks on it, regardless of if its true or not. 'Thome is too old now' is just another example.