Blue Jays sign Frank Thomas

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It's official: Thomas a Jay
Nov. 17, 2006. 02:42 PM
ALLAN RYAN
SPORTS REPORTER

The Toronto Blue Jays today confirmed the signing of free-agent designated-hitter Frank Thomas.

The 38-year-old Thomas, the majors’ comeback player-of-the-year for his 39-homer, 114-RBI campaign for the Oakland A’s this past season, signed a two-year deal worth $18 million (U.S.) with an option for 2009.

He had made $3.1 million with the West Division champion A’s last season - $2.6 million of that in incentives - after spending his first 16 seasons with the Chicago White Sox.

He gives the Jays a third potent right-handed bat in the middle of their line-up, joining Vernon Wells and Troy Glaus.

Thomas also represents the first score for general manager J.P. Ricciardi on an off-season shopping list that still includes a verteran middle infielder, at least one starting pitcher, an experience set-up man for the bullpen and a starting catcher.

 

[gbelan]

i think uncle ted has stepped up this year and we will be having a few more suprises regarding aquisitions

 

[samplain]

39-homer, 114-RBI campaign for the Oakland A’s this past season

If he can do this again, then he's worth the money. A two year contract is not too big a gamble. Reminds me of Dave Winfield in the early 90's.

 

[SD2]

Another bad move by Ricciardi.

A DH was not really something this team needed and he's went and blown $9 million for one. This isn't just any DH; it's one with a history of injuries who's 38 years old.

This really cuts down on the amount available for other, more important areas.

I hope Rogers wakes up soon and realizes what a lousy GM Ricciardi is and finally gets rid of him.

 

[toforumer]

Another bad move by Ricciardi.

A DH was not really something this team needed and he's went and blown $9 million for one. This isn't just any DH; it's one with a history of injuries who's 38 years old.

This really cuts down on the amount available for other, more important areas.

I hope Rogers wakes up soon and realizes what a lousy GM Ricciardi is and finally gets rid of him.

Actually the Jays were near the bottom in the American League when it comes to our DH position stats and production. We needed an upgrade on DH and we definately got that with Thomas. I would have prefered hearing we signed a #2 or #3 Starting pitcher such as Barry Zito. I'm hearing rumblings that the Jays are pursuing him this offseason. If they somehow sign a good #3 pitcher, this team looks much better plus having the extra 30HR that Thomas can produce, that's if he stays completely healthy.

The Jays might be trading Vernon Wells too since they haven't signed the guy to a contract extension just yet. I read they are shopping him around the league to accquite a Starting pitcher plus some top young prospects.

 

[Bogtrotter]

I'll reserve judgment yet. But surely they now intend to unload Wells while they can and go for a starter. There is no way they are going to finish ahead of NY and Boston without more pitching.

 

[SD2]

Actually the Jays were near the bottom in the American League when it comes to our DH position stats and production. We needed an upgrade on DH and we definately got that with Thomas. I would have prefered hearing we signed a #2 or #3 Starting pitcher such as Barry Zito. I'm hearing rumblings that the Jays are pursuing him this offseason. If they somehow sign a good #3 pitcher, this team looks much better plus having the extra 30HR that Thomas can produce, that's if he stays completely healthy.

Offense was not a problem for the Jays. They also actually had a young player who would've filled the role - Adam Lind - for a cheap price.

Considering their budget restrictions, needs and the risk involved, it was a bad move.

Shoring up their pitching and middle infield positions were much more pressing needs.

Ricciardi has done a bad job with the farm system over the last five years and is now trying to compensate with free agents. Unfortunately, you can't rely on free agents for everything.

 

[Bogtrotter]

I agree. Despite the stats at DH this past year, offence was not an issue. They must be trying to deal Wells- that is the only logic I can see in this move.

 

[Bogtrotter]

JP strikes out at the Winter meetings- no Lilly and no Meche. The JAys are destined for 3rd or 4th in the division if they don't fill-out their pitching. Wells will be wanting around 100 million over 5 years judging by the market- that's if he even wants to sign anything right now. I get the feeling that Wells is bye bye- hope I'm wrong though. If they do actually manage to sign him, maybe they could try and trade Johnson and a couple of their young pitchers for a starter..?

 

[SD2]

JP strikes out at the Winter meetings- no Lilly and no Meche. The JAys are destined for 3rd or 4th in the division if they don't fill-out their pitching.

Considering the money they wanted, it's a good thing he didn't get them. They're overrated. He should look for a cheaper option that can deliver a similar level of performance.

Or, just go after Barry Zito or Mark Mulder.

Wells will be wanting around 100 million over 5 years judging by the market- that's if he even wants to sign anything right now. I get the feeling that Wells is bye bye- hope I'm wrong though. If they do actually manage to sign him, maybe they could try and trade Johnson and a couple of their young pitchers for a starter..?

They have a really thin farm system...trading young pitching wouldn't be a good idea. Besides, I don't think Johnson and the young pitching they could afford to part with carry much value.

 

[jayomatic]

I really don't understand how guys like lilly are being offered that much. You've only win half your games. Big deal. Is the league that weak that they are will to pay these guys this much?

 

[Bogtrotter]

Some guy on ESPN called the Jays the offseason losers. They haven't fared well so far- but they are hardly in *that* bad shape.

I doubt the Jays could afford Zito right now, especially if they hope to keep Wells. But I agree that Lilly was overpriced, he looked terrible at times last year. Meche is not worth 55M to the Jays either- that's just rediculous. They're probably better off going with Marcum in the 4th or 5th spot. I doubt we'll see much of Towers again- he only went 5/5 with the Skychiefs. But they'll definitely need to pickup another decent starter from somewhere. I've heard Penny and and outfielder from LA for Wells. That wouldn't be a bad deal..??

 

[SD2]

I doubt the Jays could afford Zito right now, especially if they hope to keep Wells. But I agree that Lilly was overpriced, he looked terrible at times last year. Meche is not worth 55M to the Jays either- that's just rediculous. They're probably better off going with Marcum in the 4th or 5th spot. I doubt we'll see much of Towers again- he only went 5/5 with the Skychiefs. But they'll definitely need to pickup another decent starter from somewhere. I've heard Penny and and outfielder from LA for Wells. That wouldn't be a bad deal..??

If Ricciardi knew what he was doing they could easily afford Zito and Wells. They're a big spending team now, Ricciardi has just made some bad financial decisions (to go along with his other bad decisions).

I hope he gets fired soon, though he still seems to have Rogers convinced he's a good GM.

 

[Bogtrotter]

Zito would be great. But isn't their payroll still well below that of BOS and the Yanks? I thought they only had around 90M to throw around- and that's after the increase. I'm not trying to be argumentative or anything- but how do you figure they can afford both Wells and Zito at his point?

I see Gagne went to Texas. Probably not a good move as a replacement for Speir anyway.

 

[SD2]

I really don't understand how guys like lilly are being offered that much. You've only win half your games. Big deal. Is the league that weak that they are will to pay these guys this much?

The demand for starting pitching is so high that pitchers who aren't really that great are getting pretty rich deals. Their value gets really inflated once they hit the FA market.