When defining this offseason, I think we will define it as a player’s market. We have seen aces, pseudo aces, mediocre bullpen guys, and not quite superstars get paid like superstars.
It seems like everyone at every position has made out this offseason. Every position, that is, except DH.
With a renewed emphasis on speed and defense that has taken place over the past couple of seasons in baseball, DH’s are no longer getting the love they used to.
DH’s like Manny Ramirez, Vladimir Guerrero and Jim Thome have had a hard time finding jobs this winter because no teams want to meet their contract demands. Thome is a great example of the declining DH market.
Thome was reportedly said to be seeking around $8 million a year. Instead, he had to settle for $3 million.
Thome re-signed with the Minnesota Twins on Friday as the two sides agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract. The 40-year-old can also earn incentives based on plate appearances.
The Twins took advantage of the down DH market and Thome’s love of Minnesota (he supposedly took less money to play with the Twins) to get a tremendous bargain. I don’t think there is anyone who can say anything bad about this signing even if they tried.
Thome hit .283/.412./.627 with 25 HR’s in 108 games. He absolutely crushed right-handed pitching to the tune of a .302/.455/.698 with 19 HR’s. Even if Thome produces something slightly less than what he did last year, this will still be a steal for the Twins.
And I think the Twins needed Thome back. They have taken a little bit of a beating this offseason, losing Orlando Hudson, J.J. Hardy, Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier, and potentially Brian Fuentes and Jon Rauch. They could also lose Carl Pavano too, but he is expected to re-sign any day now.
Bringing Thome back not only gives the Twins a serious presence in the middle of their lineup, but he is a solid clubhouse guy, and gives the Twins fan base a little sense that they are still in it to win it. Great re-signing by the Twins.
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