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Orioles Acquire Jim Thome

By Mike Axisa | June 30, 2012 at 5:45pm CDT

The Orioles have acquired veteran slugger Jim Thome from the Phillies for Single-A prospects Kyle Simon and Gabriel Lino, both teams have announced. O's GM Dan Duquette told reporters (including Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com) that the two sides had been talking for about a week before finalizing the trade on Saturday (Twitter link).

Uspw_6131886Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. recently disclosed that he was open to moving Thome if there was a deal that made sense for both the slugger and the team. After his recent strong showing at designated hitter during interleague play, Thome was on board with joining an American League club in need of a bat. Philadelphia had been reportedly shopping him to teams in need of a DH and the O's fit the bill.

Thome, 41, is hitting .242/.338/.516 with five homers in 71 plate appearances this season. Most of that damage has come as the DH during interleague play, including a 6-for-13 showing during a three-game series in Camden Yards earlier this month. Thome missed more than a month with a back strain earlier this season.

Baltimore's designated hitters have hit a solid .258/.349/.439 this season, though they've rotated between Nick Johnson, Mark Reynolds, Chris Davis, and others. Johnson was recently placed on the DL with a wrist problem, so Thome gives them a replacement left-handed bat, one that should provide more power. The Orioles designated left-hander Zach Phillips for assignment in a corresponding move to free up a 40-man roster spot.

Simon, 21, was Baltimore's fourth round pick in last year's draft. The right-hander has pitched to a 3.96 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 14 starts and 72 2/3 innings down in A-ball this year. Baseball America ranked him as the Orioles' 18th best prospect before the season in their Prospect Handbook, saying Simon "should be an innings-eating starter." He was originally drafted by Joe Jordan, the Phillies farm director who was previously with the Orioles.

Lino, a 19-year-old backstop, is hitting .218/.282/.340 in 227 plate appearances down in Low Class-A this year. Baseball America ranked him as Baltimore's 21st best prospect before the season in their Prospect Handbook, noting that he offers power potential but is raw behind the plate.

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com first reported that the two sides were in talks while Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported the trade agreement (on Twitter). Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com and Rosenthal later added details (Twitter links). Photo courtesy of US Presswire.

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Baltimore Orioles Philadelphia Phillies Transactions Jim Thome

Red Sox Designate Darnell McDonald For Assignment
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Orioles Designate Zach Phillips For Assignment
View Comments (78)
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78 Comments

  1. rovert22044

    13 years ago

    Wow…

    Reply
  2. PhreshPhillies

    13 years ago

    See ya in Cooperstown, Jim.

    Reply
    • BigbossNYY

      13 years ago

      lol

      Reply
      • Lunchbox45

        13 years ago

         hows that funny?

        Reply
        • EdinsonPickle

          13 years ago

          It’s funny because Thome isn’t even close to being a Hall of Famer. He only has 609 homers…Wait.

          Reply
    • Devon Henry

      13 years ago

      What a slap in the face, can’t even let an all time great retire with his team. Trading him for a couple of D- prospects…geez…

      Reply
      • PhreshPhillies

        13 years ago

        Lol, you make it sound like I’m Ruben Amaro Jr. I didn’t want him traded either, but it’s best for both sides. We get prospects, and he gets to play. Still one of the most respected players to ever play the game.

        Reply
      • $17049574

        13 years ago

        They asked him if he wanted to be traded weeks ago, if the right situation came up.

        Reply
  3. MeowMeow

    13 years ago

    Nice of the Phillies to do, honestly. And I guess Baltimore’s been emboldened by that extra “playoff” spot.

    Reply
    • LazerTown

      13 years ago

      They really didn’t give up anything of value.  The prospects may turn out to be something but that is very unlikely.  Halfway through the season and they are 1 game up on the last wildcard spot.  The team lost 93 games last year, and hasn’t competed in awhile.  Might as well give it a shot, their fanbase really needs a playoff run, they were previously capable of a big payroll in the 90’s

      Reply
      • not_brooks

        13 years ago

        A 41-year-old DH isn’t going to help a team with only two reliable starting pitchers.

        Thome will be fun to watch and all, but this move seems fairly pointless to this O’s fan.

        Reply
  4. User 4245925809

    13 years ago

     Waiting for the “Lefty update” on this maneuver now…

    Looks pretty good, so far. Better (and cheaper) than retaining Luke Scott would have been.

    Reply
  5. James Sanders

    13 years ago

    Good move for Thome,Thanks for the memories big fella,  Now where does the other shoe drop.

    Reply
  6. Alex K.

    13 years ago

    Thank God Detroit didn’t trade for him…

    Reply
    • vtadave

      13 years ago

      why?

      Reply
    • User 4245925809

      13 years ago

      Because Detroit doesn’t already have enough defensive liabilities and even more when VMart returns?

      Reply
      • LazerTown

        13 years ago

        VMart won’t return until september if at all.  Detroit should have tried to get him if this is all it took.  They have been using delmon young at dh alot, and he is a terrible hitter.

        Reply
  7. rainyperez

    13 years ago

    I wonder how many bats the Orioles are sending over to the Phillies? And I mean that figuratively and literally. 

    Reply
  8. Lefty

    13 years ago

    Got-R-Done!
    I am happy!
    Now lets do some more Wheelin and Dealin Duquette!

    Reply
    • Rabbitov

      13 years ago

      I gotta admit, it would have been pretty hilarious if Tejada and Moyer stayed with the team and made the team prior to this trade, and then we signed Vlad just for good measure.  In all seriousness though anyone who has been following the O’s knows this is a 100% upgrade to the lineup. 

      Reply
  9. Guest 4486

    13 years ago

    Source: Jim Thome to Baltimore for a cold turkey. 

    Reply
    • Rabbitov

      13 years ago

      Lino is a very good haul in this type of trade.  

      Reply
      • Nick

        13 years ago

        A Single-A catcher hitting .218 who’ll more than likely turn out to be a dud is hardly a good haul for a team with nobody in their bullpen besides a closer.

        Reply
        • Rabbitov

          13 years ago

          If you base your whole perception of him on a quick stat search then I guess you are right.

          Reply
          • notsureifsrs

            13 years ago

            boom

            Reply
        • asovermann

          13 years ago

          Teenage catchers take a while to develop, look at Bethancourt in ATL, for years he put up horrible numbers offensivly and he is finally sparking up some. Lino is seen as possibly being a plus defender with some raw power. That’s not bad for a guy nearing retirement.

          Reply
      • Andrew Ochs

        13 years ago

         A .622 Ops catcher? Especially we have a catcher. Does he have upside at all?

        Reply
        • Rabbitov

          13 years ago

          He plays good defense, pretty good power potential. Potential problems with contact down the road, but pretty good baseball acumen behind the plate. Even if he was a backup catch eventually for the Phils for many years its a good move for the future.

          Reply
        • Lunchbox45

          13 years ago

           OPS for a 19 year old? c’mon you’re better then that

          Reply
  10. Phillies_Aces35

    13 years ago

    Truly an honor to watch this guy play the game. Wish him the best in Baltimore.

    Reply
  11. Rabbitov

    13 years ago

    I know its players late in their career and all that, but its still always cool to see Hall of Famers in O’s uniforms.  

    Reply
  12. letsgogiants

    13 years ago

    Good luck in Baltimore, Thome. I hope you have another shot at the playoffs.

    Reply
  13. Lastings

    13 years ago

    Phils are giving up on the season already!?!?!

    Reply
    • Phillies_Aces35

      13 years ago

      Professional courtesy. Jim would get maybe 30 at bats if he stayed with the Phillies for the rest of the year and he’s proven he’s not very effective as a pinch hitter.

      Reply
  14. killian lord

    13 years ago

    Really surprised the Orioles gave up Lino for Thome

    Reply
  15. Phillies_Aces35

    13 years ago

    Nice to see us get some catching depth in the system beyond Rupp and Valle.

    Reply
  16. DerekJeterDan

    13 years ago

    I like the trade for both sides. The Orioles get a definite upgrade in Thome who will benefit from a consistent amount of ABs and the Phillies manage to come away with value in Lino. The American League East adds to its crop of very solid DH types and the Orioles are able to bring in a future HOFer which will surely get fans excited no matter how old he is. Thome is a great veteran presence to help the youngsters during the heat of a playoff race.

    Reply
    • go_jays_go

      13 years ago

      I really hope that the additional players will help push the O’s into the playoffs. I don’t think the O’s fans could bare to stand another 2005 season.

      But at the very least, I think it’s a good thing the lost prospects aren’t highly rated.

      Reply
  17. leachim2

    13 years ago

    3rd big trade of the season.

    Reply
    • Dynasty22

      13 years ago

      The Freri(spelling?) trade I can see, but what is the other one?

      Reply
      • leachim2

        13 years ago

        Sean O’Sullivan. C’mon man. Youk.

        Reply
        • Dynasty22

          13 years ago

          I wouldn’t define that as a huge trade yet. Name value: sure, actually production remains to be seen.

          Reply
  18. tommyl

    13 years ago

    Now Reynolds to Dodgers.

    Reply
    • James B

      13 years ago

      that is a terrible move for reyolds and the Dodgers.  Chavez Ravine is too large of a park for a real 2 result hitter (strike out or homer).  Reyolds would still hit 240, but instead of hitting 30-40 homers, he goes to 25-30 at best.

      The dodgers need to build around small ball, speed and D.  Kemp is the ideal player there, but gordon as a 2b would fit well.  They need a Sean Casey type of 1b (great average and solid D) not a Pena or reynolds type.  sorry but could not think of a guy in the same mold as casey playing now

      Reply
  19. cubsfanbudman

    13 years ago

    Well looks like the Cub’s are stuck with Soriano for another year

    Reply
  20. skip1d1

    13 years ago

    Great for the O’s! This guy is no doubt headin to the hall. I had the pleasure of watchin him hammer the ball around Target Field with the Twins. I hope the he has a chance at that ring he deserves! Go O’s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  21. drjayphd

    13 years ago

    Whoa whoa WHOA. Aren’t we burying the lede here, guys?

    Nick Johnson’s injured?
    And it’s his wrist?

    How could ANYONE have seen this coming?

    Reply
  22. hoagiebuchanan

    13 years ago

    That walk-off he hit against the Rays still gives me chills. Thanks buddy and good luck!

    Reply
  23. BradyAndersonsSideburns

    13 years ago

    yay for having 4 DH’s now!

    Reply
    • caseym

      13 years ago

      I know how you feel look at the Rays. LOL

      Reply
      • caseym

        13 years ago

        Or the Blue Jays.

        Reply
        • Lunchbox45

          13 years ago

           Who’s DH on the jays?

          Reply
          • James B

            13 years ago

            E5 is a terrible feilder that should DH, Joey bats is minus feilder, Adam Lind is their Dh now, but is at least a neutral feilder, Arencebia is just blocking a real C from reaching the bigs… That makes 4, you may disagree with bautista, but that still is 3.

            The Os have a lot of prospect washouts that are more like DH players.  Chris Davis, Wilson Betemit, Mark Reynolds, Nolan Reimold, Xavier Avery (who should only hit lefties)… and now Thome.  Betemit is the only guy you can agrue on that list (he is not a good fielder, but is a slightly below average fielder at 4 or 5 positions).

            Rays have Luke Scott and Hideki Matsui as obvious DH players.  But they do not have too many guys.  2 just means that the 5 or 6 vets most teams that need a DH bring in every year, 2 panned out.

            Reply
            • Lunchbox45

              13 years ago

              wrong on all accounts. good show

              Reply
  24. Slopeboy

    13 years ago

    This is a great move for the O’s. Showalter has been given another important piece to use in games.Even when Thome doesn’t play, he alters the strategy late in the game.
    Not an earth shattering transaction, but with Orioles playing as well as they are, it’s made the AL East race much more interesting.

    Reply
  25. caseym

    13 years ago

    Thome is going to Rake with regular at bats and Camden Yards as his Playground. The AL Beast just got a whole lot better!

    Reply
  26. sdsuphilip

    13 years ago

    both prospect are near bottom of orioles top 20, don’t see a big deal in who baltimore gave up

    Reply
    • Rabbitov

      13 years ago

      Lino is only 19 with a ton of upside.  He’s ranked low now and struggling, but the people who follow the O’s minor leagues feel in a year or two he could really shine.  In fact the Orioles “top 20” list is no real indication of the talent of the players.  

      Reply
      • LazerTown

        13 years ago

        for a team that lost 93 games last year and finally has a chance to make a playoff run this is a very good move.  Lino could work out, but there is a big chance he never makes it,

        Reply
        • Rabbitov

          13 years ago

          No doubt the risk is there, but this is a good upside haul for Thome.  

          Reply
          • LazerTown

            13 years ago

            TBH, I really don’t see the O’s making the postseason.  To me their team is not nearly good enough, and they are more a fluke.  3 of their starters have an era over 5.00, and one of their 2 good starters has an era close to 5 in 700 previous innings.  Their lineup also isn’t that great, to pick up for all that slack.

            Proof, They have allowed 16 more runs then they have scored, yet are 7 games over .500.

            Reply
            • Rabbitov

              13 years ago

              The first paragraph is mostly true.  

              The second paragraph is true on its face, but they had a positives run differential before the absolute collapse of the past week so its really not a telling stat in this situation.  

              Also in the O’s defense, they are about to get Nick Markakis back in the lineup and they have some really promising starters in AAA knocking on the door. Further, the bullpen has been so good that it really picks up slack for bad starting pitching.

              Reply
              • not_brooks

                13 years ago

                I hope you’re not talking about Chris Tillman…

                Reply
                • Matthew

                  13 years ago

                  He is, but supposedly Tillman is a completely different pitcher this year. He apparently radically altered his mechanics based on some new biometrics analysis the Orioles have been doing. I’m certainly still dubious he’s a major league pitcher, but I’m sure we’ll see before July is over based on the last turn through the Orioles rotation…

                  Reply
                  • Rabbitov

                    13 years ago

                    haha! no I’m not! In the pecking order for me its:  Johnson, Gonzalez, then Tillman for starters, but Gonzalez is about to come up it seems. 

                    Reply
              • LazerTown

                13 years ago

                Ok, but you really can’t call a team a playoff contender when their “ACE” is Jason Hammel.  I’ve never been big on markakis.  Sure he gets on base, and gets some doubles but he doesn’t really have that much power and he is making 12M this year, he plays rf and hits 15 hr per year.

                There are at least 5 teams better than them competing for the 2 wc slots.

                Reply
                • Rabbitov

                  13 years ago

                  I never did call them a playoff contender. With that said, with the exception of last game Hammel has pitched like an ace.

                  Your statements on Markakis aren’t really valid. He plays + defense in right field and gets on base (as you said). Who cares how much he is making? There isn’t a team in baseball who wouldn’t want him in RF for that price.

                  Reply
  27. gmr61

    13 years ago

    Welcome to Baltimore hope You will be a good addition and a great teacher to these young birds

    Reply
  28. Retnan

    13 years ago

    What was Big Jim doing back on the Phillies?

    It’s a waste of money and a roster spot to just have him be a pinch hitter once a game.

    Reply

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