On this day in 2006, Frank Thomas officially parted ways with the White Sox, signing a free agent contract with the Athletics. The Big Hurt left Chicago after suffering through two injury-plagued years, a dispute with GM Kenny Williams and virtually no role in the team's run to the 2005 World Series title. Thomas had a huge bounce-back year with the A's, posting a .926 OPS to help lead Oakland to the ALCS.
Some news to wrap up a busy Monday night…
- Both Ross Ohlendorf and the Pirates would prefer to avoid an arbitration hearing, but "each party [is] hesitant to budge too much" from the $625K gap in proposed salaries, writes MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch. The Bucs don't want Ohlendorf's price driven up for future arb years, though Ohlendorf is only asking for $2.025MM in 2011. As the Arbtracker tells us, Ohlendorf is Pittsburgh's last remaining arbitration-eligible player without a contract.
- Jason Isringhausen had a throwing session for Reds pitching coach Bryan Price today and "threw the ball fine," Price told MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Cincinnati GM Walt Jocketty was non-committal about the chances of Isringhausen rejoining the Reds organization on a minor league deal. "We're not sure if we will pursue it or not," Jocketty said. "We'll discuss it in the next few days. We have quite a bit of right-handed pitching."
- Jim Edmonds' agent tells Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link) that Edmonds will "probably" know by early next week if he'll retire or try to come back in 2011. Walt Jocketty recently opined that Edmonds would retire.
- If Jesus Flores proves he's healthy during Spring Training, MLB.com's Bill Ladson thinks the Nationals might try to trade him to a catcher-needy team.
- The Orioles had no shortage of needs this offseason, but Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun points out that the O's have "at least theoretically, filled each of the roster's gaping holes that loomed in October."
- The Twins and Royals both appear to be finished their winter additions. MLB.com's Kelly Thesier says Minnesota is out of payroll space, and Dayton Moore tells Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star that the Royals are done shopping "unless something comes up that we’re not expecting." Moore wouldn't comment on rumors that K.C. is looking at Kevin Millwood.
Edmonds was a fantastic player. One of my favorites growing up, but I think he’ll retire. I was hoping he would be able to reach the 400 homer plateau, but still a great career without a doubt.
he is my all-time favorite. I’ll be sad to see him out of baseball. 🙁
Didnt kenny williams then come out publicly with something like frank thomas then owed him money on a loan he gave him ?
What is the standard arbitration number for a Super Two guy? I know they say normally it’s 40/60/80 for the three years, but I have no idea what they typically do for a Super Two. If it’s something like 20/40/60/80, which would make sense, that would mean Ohledorf considers himself a $10 million player. I think he’s too smart for that to be the case.
Yeah, don’t remind me the Big Hurt wore other uniforms. :'( At least he’s now in his rightful place, on the wall in left-center field and three years away from Cooperstown.
I wonder if he’ll go in as a Blue Jay or as an Athletic.
Just give Ohlendorf the money, geez it doesn’t have to be this difficult.
Or does it?
The Bucs have been spending money this off-season. But is a pitcher who lost eleven games and on the DL twice worth just over two million?
Ohlie was the Anthony Young of 2010. On a team that can hit and field for him, he’s probably above .500 with a 4 ERA. Even with the IR stints, that’s a $2mil pitcher in the current marketplace. If Ohlie and MacDonald are as good as they could be, Bucs are out of the cellar this year. Not competing for a division, but out of the cellar.
I think that MxcDonald has potential to be Bucs best and most consistent starter. Ohlendorf hasn’t shown that potential, it’s possible if he stays healthy. So it woulb be imprudent fpr the Bucs to shell out $2 mil for Ohlendorf at thls time based on his history.
If Ohlendorf wins the Arb hearing, watch the Bucs move him sometime soon. Pittsburg talks about spending money, but only at their pace and when they feel like it. They’re still the penny pinching Pirates.
You hit the nail on the head and the sad thing is I think Ohlendorf can turn into a number 1 starter. I hated that the Yankees traded him and then Cashman later admitted he tried to reacquire him. If they do trade him I think the Royals may be a nice fit and that he could slot right into the top of the rotation. Look at his 2009 with a better team he wins 16-17 games.
You’re missing the point. Ohlendorf is a Super Two. Therefore he’s going to have 4 arbitration years. The problem is that if you give him $2 million now, what’s he going to get each of the next 3 years?? The Pirates are correct to try and keep his 2011 figure down so that each subsequent year will be slightly less. If Ohlendorf only had the normal 3 years of arb eligibility, I don’t think the Pirates would have as much of a problem giving him the 2 million
Im think by 2012 the Nationals are going to be a very good team. Ramos, Zimmerman, Espinosa, Desmond, Werth, Bernadina, Laroche, and Harper in the field. Strasburg, Zimmerman, Gorz, Solis and a free agent starter on the mound. And they already have a good bullpen with guys like Storen, Rodriguez, Burnett, Clippard, Kimball, and Ballister. Im telling you with a move or two next year at this time in the offseason, this team could surprise alot of people.
“A free agent starter on the mound” has proven a very difficult task for them the past couple of years. They had to grossly overpay for an above-average corner outfielder, and mid-tier pitchers like Pavano are saying “Thanks but no thanks”.
They’re going to have to turn the corner with trades and internal development. Relying on free agency won’t be viable until after they’ve put together enough success to become a viable landing spot for veterans.
I disagree somewhat remember a few years ago Jeff Suppan did pretty good for the Cardinals. They may be able to land a guy in his mold and that may be all they need. I agree with you on it being difficult for them to sign free agents and am more or less saying they may get to a position where they only a mid level guy who they can sign relatively easily.
Exactly plus the one free agent starter I wrote doesnt change anything with all the other players I wrote. Plus we can just put Ross Detwiller or Maya in that spot. And believe me, next year things will change with free agents for the Nationals. And TwinsVet, you should worry about the Tigers and White Sox rather than the Nationals.
A team with that much young talent if all goes well with them being a contender can also grab a guy via a deadline trade. If they are contending most likely no pitcher veto’s it. They changed this year for the Nationals and free agents. I dont buy the over paying for Werth argument- I think they wanted him and did what it took to get him with the intent to make a statement they will spend. I think it was a calculated move designed to change any lingering perceptions from their days as the Expos as well as giving them a more than solid number 3 hitter in their quest to be a solid consistent lineup with no break except for the pitcher’s slot. Look at Liriano when you talk about Strassburg and you will see Tommy John aint what it was and guys now fully recover. The Twins have a pattern- win a weak division get swept from the playoffs. They are always built solely to win that always weak division and then see what happens which is their always getting swept. Lets see where they are when the Royals prospects arrive in 2012.
We didnt offer Pavano anything, as soon as we said we werent interested, you guys started working towards a deal.
This article has nothing to Izzy WTF.
Isringhausen is Izzy.
If I’m the Nats GM, if Flores is healthy at the end of Spring Training and playing well – I send him to AAA to start the season on a rehab assignment and then trade Pudge for anything I can get for him.
Ah yes, Frank Thomas signing with the A’s. I remember when the Twins wanted to sign him but ended up signing Rondell White instead. Thomas had a big year that the Twins certainly could have used.