Before the 2010 season began, the Minnesota Twins took a conservative approach when signing Jim Thome to a one year $1.5 million contract. After all, it would be hard to conceive a scenario where a team would pay anywhere near the $13 million that Thome was paid in 2009.
Thome would outperform his contract by leaps and bounds in 2010 as the slugger batted .283, slugged .627 and hit 25 home runs while driving in 59 runs.
His season started off relatively slow, as he was a part-time designated hitter and occasional pinch-hitter. However, he was thrown into an everyday role at the mid-point of the season when first baseman Justin Morneau was lost to a concussion, shifting right fielder Michael Cuddyer to first base and Jason Kubel to a permanent role in the outfield.
Thome provided the Twins with a much needed power boost as he got more opportunities, electrifying the pitcher friendly Target Field with his mammoth blasts.
Combine Thome's production with the clubhouse leadership that he provided throughout the season and it would seem like a no-brainer that the Twins would re-sign him for another season.
To this point, however, the buzz on Thome has been relatively non-existent. Much as is the case with the ongoing negotiations revolving around starting pitcher Carl Pavano, it appears that part of the delay has to do with the length of the contract.
It appears that Thome would like a two year contract if possible, a goal that might be out of reach as Thome would be 42 in the second year of such a deal.
Whether or not the Twins thought they'd have the luxury of taking their time in signing Thome, it would appear that their window of opportunity may be closing. Just this afternoon Buster Olney of ESPN.com reported that the Texas Rangers are actively working on acquiring the services of Thome.
Some media reports have placed the amount that Thome would command for a one year deal in the neighborhood of $8 million, an amount that may be too high for Texas given the fact that the Rangers have already pegged Michael Young as their designated hitter for the upcoming season.
The Twins hit 142 home runs as a team in 2010, putting them ninth in the American League in that category. The team could make up for the loss of Thome's productivity with a healthy return from Justin Morneau, but it's anybody's guess as to whether or not he'll be the same slugger when he comes back.
The Twins did pick up the 2011 option on Jason Kubel, a move that could indicate that the team is in no rush to overpay for Thome. But given the team's success in utilizing both Thome and Kubel in 2010, any reasonable package to keep the fan favorite in Minnesota should be strongly considered.
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