Jim Thome's 2009 option.

[justBLAZE]

Thome's '09 Option

By Tim Dierkes [June 26 at 8:11am CST]

 

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times discusses Jim Thome's '09 option. Cowley says Thome needs 392 more plate appearances this year for the $13MM salary to vest. The White Sox can choose a $3MM buyout if it does not vest.

 

However, both Cot's Baseball Contracts and the Chicago Tribune indicate that Thome's '09 option vests if he tallies 564 PAs this year. He already has 274, so he needs 292 more. He should be able to pull it off if he starts 75 more games. The White Sox have 85 games left. Today's game is the last in an NL park, so Thome can go back to DHing regularly. This option will go right down to the wire.

 

Thome may be back regardless, according to the Tribune in February. The White Sox have been getting a half price deal on his contract; the Phillies paid them $22MM.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/06/thomes-09-optio.html

 

The topic comes up once in a while, discuss.

[BobDylan]

He'll be back. I don't want him back, but he will be.

[WilliamTell]

Yeah I would prefere him to not be back, and I hate to say that because he is a class act, but I would prefere Konerko to DH with Swisher at CF.

[santo=dorf]

Yeah I would prefere him to not be back, and I hate to say that because he is a class act, but I would prefere Konerko to DH with Swisher at CF.

I assume you mean Swisher at first.

 

Moving Konerko to DH downgrades the DH position. Moving Swisher to first base downgrades first base offensively.

 

How is that beneficial? Swisher offensive numbers just aren't that great to put him in a spot were you can afford to trade defensive in for offense. If Swisher can put up an .840 OPS and hit 20 home runs, I can live with him in CF. If he can't even do that, I don't know why we would put him at first where the offensive demand is much greater.

[South Side Fireworks Man]

Yeah I would prefere him to not be back, and I hate to say that because he is a class act, but I would prefere Konerko to DH with Swisher at CF.

You mean with Swisher at 1B, right?

[WCSox]

I assume you mean Swisher at first.

 

Moving Konerko to DH downgrades the DH position. Moving Swisher to first base downgrades first base offensively.

 

How is that beneficial? Swisher offensive numbers just aren't that great to put him in a spot were you can afford to trade defensive in for offense. If Swisher can put up an .840 OPS and hit 20 home runs, I can live with him in CF. If he can't even do that, I don't know why we would put him at first where the offensive demand is much greater.

 

What does it matter if Swisher hits less than .840/20 as a CF or a 1B? It's not like Kenny's going to replace Thome with Pujols or Ryan Howard.

 

This would be beneficial defensively...

 

JD to DH

Quentin to RF

Paulie stays at 1B

Swisher to LF

Anderson, Owens, Wise, and whoever else battle it out for CF

 

[BobDylan]

What does it matter if Swisher hits less than .840/20 as a CF or a 1B? It's not like Kenny's going to replace Thome with Pujols or Ryan Howard.

 

This would be beneficial defensively...

 

JD to DH

Quentin to RF

Paulie stays at 1B

Swisher to LF

Anderson, Owens, Wise, and whoever else battle it out for CF

^^^

 

 

 

[DBAHO]

I don't like that CF option though.

 

Need an upgrade there.

[WilliamTell]

Yeah I meant Swisher at 1st.

 

I don't mind the Dye to DH either. I might be best if Konerko plays some 1B and Dye plays some RF. Swisher playing LF and 1B. Quinten plays RF and LF. Obviously this is a lot of moving for 3 players, but I would assume one of the options would be the dominant option so the other would not happen as often.

[witesoxfan]

I would like to know the specifics on the exact details of Thome's option for next year. I've seen conflicting reports, some saying the Phillies only paid 22 mill over 3 years and some say 22 mill over 4. If it's 4, cutting Thome loose would be a terrible move IMO; if it's only 3, then it's an entirely different story and he should be cut loose, though a big bat should still be brought in regardless.

[Marky Mark]

I feel like the chances of Thome having a good year (95+ RBIs and a .400+ OBP) are not as good as the chances of him having an injury plagued year while making his full salary.

 

However, if we can't find a "better" option, than there's no point in refusing to pick up the option.

 

I do hope we decide not to pick up that option though, I've grown too tired of the strikeouts, and Thome isn't going to all of a sudden get a lot better, only worse.

[WCSox]

However, if we can't find a "better" option, than there's no point in refusing to pick up the option.

 

Anderson in CF, Swisher in LF, Quentin in RF, and Dye at DH is a better defensive option than Thome at DH. Is Thome with a .350 OBP, 30 HRs, and 160 strikeouts a better option than the improved defense in the outfield and the downgrade of Anderson's bat in the lineup? It might be.

 

 

[BobDylan]

Except with Thome gone, Cabrera almost a lock to leave, Uribe taking a hike, and all the starters locked in for next season, there is going to be more than 25 million coming off the books, at least in that scenario. Someone else will be brought in.

Pretty much what I want is exactly what you said. I want one of those hitters from the 3-4-5 (preferrably two) to open up flexibility to bring in new life. What I agreed with earlier is the immediate plan that is opened up. Essentially, the emergency plan. I'd rather play crap players that can be easily moved, demoted or released in case an option opens up where they can bring in an "answer."

 

 

 

[scenario]

I don't like that CF option though.

 

Need an upgrade there.

 

David Cook for CF in '09!!

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/st...&pid=449803

Edited June 27, 2008 by scenario

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

I would love for Thome to leave, and Dye to DH, with Swisher in LF, Q in RF, and getting a stud, speedy CF. Or we move Konerko to DH and Swisher to 1B, and again, get a stud CF. But I think moving Dye to DH would be defensively better because he is SOOO slow in RF and with Q and Swish in the corners, it would be MUCH better on defense.

 

Or maybe we can get David Cook in CF and put in an offer for Brian Roberts at 2B.

[BearSox]

I really don't see how we can go into next season with the same three big base cloggers. So judging by age and production (or lack thereof), Thome is the odd man out. I love Thome, as a lefty hitter growing up, I loved to watch him hit. However, Thome doesn't have it anymore and isn't worth the starting role. The only way I'd keep Thome if his option doesn't vest is if he is willing to take a reduced role as more of a platoon player.

 

Looking at next years free agent class, there's nothing to get excited about either...

[Dick Allen]

I would like to know the specifics on the exact details of Thome's option for next year. I've seen conflicting reports, some saying the Phillies only paid 22 mill over 3 years and some say 22 mill over 4. If it's 4, cutting Thome loose would be a terrible move IMO; if it's only 3, then it's an entirely different story and he should be cut loose, though a big bat should still be brought in regardless.

$22 million=$22 million. Whether they paid the White Sox off in 3 or 4 years isn't very significant. In fact, it probably is better if it were only 3. As I understand it, when a team agrees to pick up part of a contract, they just give money to the other team, so its not like Philadelphia is actually paying Thome. Its not like they are sending the Sox money every payday. The White Sox can spend that money on whatever they like. There was no way that option was going to vest. I think if Thome plays decently the last 3 months, he will be back, but it will be a reduced rate.

[witesoxfan]

I really don't see how we can go into next season with the same three big base cloggers. So judging by age and production (or lack thereof), Thome is the odd man out. I love Thome, as a lefty hitter growing up, I loved to watch him hit. However, Thome doesn't have it anymore and isn't worth the starting role. The only way I'd keep Thome if his option doesn't vest is if he is willing to take a reduced role as more of a platoon player.

 

Looking at next years free agent class, there's nothing to get excited about either...

 

Thome's been better than Konerko all 3 years he's been here. He can't be traded obviously, but seeing how he hits left handed and he's been better than Konerko, I wouldn't automatically label him the odd man out.

 

I also think it's very reasonable and rather probable that all 3 will be back.

 

$22 million=$22 million. Whether they paid the White Sox off in 3 or 4 years isn't very significant. In fact, it probably is better if it were only 3. As I understand it, when a team agrees to pick up part of a contract, they just give money to the other team, so its not like Philadelphia is actually paying Thome. Its not like they are sending the Sox money every payday. The White Sox can spend that money on whatever they like. There was no way that option was going to vest. I think if Thome plays decently the last 3 months, he will be back, but it will be a reduced rate.

 

I just don't understand that then. Why would they say that they're paying it over a 3 year period? or over a 4 year period?

[NorthSideSox72]

If Swish ends up at 1B, and the Sox don't acquire a CF for 2009, I would like to see David Cook in the mix (with Anderson and/or Owens, if they are both still in the org) for that job.

 

[Steve9347]

He really needs to be gone.

[WCSox]

$22 million=$22 million. Whether they paid the White Sox off in 3 or 4 years isn't very significant. In fact, it probably is better if it were only 3. As I understand it, when a team agrees to pick up part of a contract, they just give money to the other team, so its not like Philadelphia is actually paying Thome. Its not like they are sending the Sox money every payday. The White Sox can spend that money on whatever they like. There was no way that option was going to vest. I think if Thome plays decently the last 3 months, he will be back, but it will be a reduced rate.

 

I'm hearing conflicting reports about how many plate appearances he needs for it to vest. It was reported here as 400-some earlier this year, but now I'm reading 500-some. He'll probably be pretty close to 400 by the end of September. I'd hate to see them bench him just to avoid it, especially if we're slugging it out with the Twins for the division title.

 

Even at a reduced rate, I don't know if I'd want Thome back. We're going to need either Anderson or somebody acquired via trade or FA that can play CF well and lead off. That means that Dye has to move to DH. I'd love to have the extra left-handed power hitter but, unless he hits really well over the second half, I don't think that it's wise to clog our already overcrowded roster with him.

 

Edited June 27, 2008 by WCSox

[DBAHO]

Except with Thome gone, Cabrera almost a lock to leave, Uribe taking a hike, and all the starters locked in for next season, there is going to be more than 25 million coming off the books, at least in that scenario. Someone else will be brought in.

Furcal should be KW's main target if he's looking for a SS. But the Richar - Ramirez option up the middle is still there.

 

I'm not who the major FA CF is though. But Swisher could always stay there (he's been a pretty decent defensive CF), and you could just bring in a 1B/DH instead to replace Thome (but I doubt they'll do that).

 

One of the main reasons we brought in Thome anyway was to have a major power hitting LHH, to have against those good RHP's. Unfortunately now, it's lefties which are the major problem.

[WCSox]

I'm not who the major FA CF is though. But Swisher could always stay there (he's been a pretty decent defensive CF), and you could just bring in a 1B/DH instead to replace Thome (but I doubt they'll do that).

 

As surprisingly effective as Swish has been in CF, the Sox need a natural CF for the long term. I wouldn't mind him platooning with another player there, but throwing him out there for 150+ games with BA at their disposal is pretty silly, IMO. Also, with Crede, Thome, Contreras, etc. coming off the books over the next 6-18 months, the Sox are going into rebuilding mode (or at least MAJOR retooling mode). They're better off addressing the CF situation sooner than later.

 

Perhaps more importantly, Dye needs to be moved out of RF next year for defensive purposes (and to limit the stress on his 35-year-old body). That would pretty much move Quentin to RF and Swisher to LF, opening up CF.

 

[BearSox]

Thome's been better than Konerko all 3 years he's been here. He can't be traded obviously, but seeing how he hits left handed and he's been better than Konerko, I wouldn't automatically label him the odd man out.

 

I also think it's very reasonable and rather probable that all 3 will be back.

 

Whoa now. In 06, both Thome and Konerko were fantastic. Can't really say which one was better (unless you judge that soley on OPS). Thome was better in 07 though, but this season they've both sucked. If the three big base cloggers are back next season, it will have been a very bad move.

 

With Thome being 6 years older than Konerko, and 4 years older than Dye, and not showing nearly as much production as he has in the past, the move is simple to me.

[WCSox]

Whoa now. In 06, both Thome and Konerko were fantastic. Can't really say which one was better (unless you judge that soley on OPS). Thome was better in 07 though, but this season they've both sucked.

 

But only one of them has sucked due to an injury. Thome has sucked because he's getting blown away by low '90s fastballs. Throw in Thome's previous injury history, and you're absolutely correct that Paulie is the much, MUCH better option for the long-term.