One of my favorite players of all time, Jim Thome, was traded, with cash, to the Chicago White Sox for Aaron Rowand. To be perfectly honest, I don't really get this trade. Why pay $10-12M a season for Jim Thome at this point? He's 35 years old, past the age that sluggers continue to slug. He doesn't field the ball well anymore. He has a chronically bad back, tender hamstrings, and a wrist and forearm problem. If the White Sox want to spin this as Konerko departure insurance, couldn't they have gotten into the Delgado sweepstakes? He's better at this stage in his career than Thome is and the Marlins were willing to give money to get rid of him. If the White Sox retain Konerko, paying Thome this money to replace Frank Thomas is somewhat silly since there are always worthy DH candidates available for less money. I suppose if the last 18 months are some sort of abberation, that Thome isn't really washed up, then the White Sox got themselves a power hitter in a lineup completely devoid of pop. It's possible, I suppose, but I honestly doubt it. Thome's decline began in July of 2004 and his stats haven't been pretty since then...
For the Phillies, this is addition by subtraction. They get rid of Thome to open the everyday spot for Ryan Howard and they replace Kenny Lofton in CF with a younger, fresher set of legs. Rowand is a decent ballplayer -- not great, not terrible -- and he will be asked only to play defense and bunt a few guys over from time to time. The Phillies lineup is pretty stacked so Rowand will have an easy time meeting expectations.
For the Phillies, this is addition by subtraction. They get rid of Thome to open the everyday spot for Ryan Howard and they replace Kenny Lofton in CF with a younger, fresher set of legs. Rowand is a decent ballplayer -- not great, not terrible -- and he will be asked only to play defense and bunt a few guys over from time to time. The Phillies lineup is pretty stacked so Rowand will have an easy time meeting expectations.
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Just a quick word on T.O.: I couldn't be happier that an arbitrator ruled against him. Screw him. I'm sure he'll learn nothing from this season and I'm sure he'll be just as much of an asshole in his next venue. It's OK, though, I still get a kick out the thought that the loudmouth son of a bitch got his. Next step on this amusing journey -- the Eagles going after the portion of T.O.'s signing bonus that is not protected. Let's really start picking at his bank account. Let's make a sport out of it. The bastard.
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