Next Year...

[Hawaii007]

I don't think they are going to trade him. This is how I think the season is going to play out:
The Tribe is going to remain within striking distance of the Twins the entire year. However, finley will be dealt because Shapiro can get a very good position prospect for him and he is willing ot take the risk and promote Drew. As a result, Thome won't be traded because we need his bat and there isn't taht big a market for him among the contenders.

[Hawaii007]

The local media has been talking about how there is going to be a huge question mark at 3B. So the question I pose to all of you is, IF assuming both players agree to the contracts assigned to them, which would you rather take:
Thome is willing ot take 9.5 million/year for 5 years.
Rolen is willing to take 8 million/year for 6 years. The Rolen figure may seem unlikely, but there really isn't a market for him except maybe in NYC with the Mets. But they seem to have tapped out all their revenue as well. The Dodgers are pretty set at 3B. The Braves have their pitchers they need to resign. The Yankees, well, they have to justify the signing of Henson. Boston is already tapped out and need pitching more then anything else. I think that is it for major market teams right?

Anyway...the reason for the question is this, Rolen will be cheaper a fill a need position while Thome is more productive as a hitter and a fan favorite. The reason Rolen might be signed instead of Thome is because 1B is the one position that we now seem to have a semi-overload in high minor prospects and we have no one to take over for Fryman next year. Unless Snyder or possibly Coste can make the transistion, that will be a gaping hole unless we are willing to have a all field no hit player at 3B like McDonald. Also the signing of Rolen will allow us to save some money to help resign Colon. What alternative do you all think?

[The Genius]

I would take Rolen hands down.
1st is a position which is a lot easier to fill than 3rd. (can you say Durazo?).
I know Thome is a big fan favorite, at least to those who come to watch 500 foot homers. But his defense is worsening by the year, and he is atrocious on the bases. I wouldn't lose any sleep if he goes, preferably for prospects before the deadline.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 12, 2002 12:51 PM: Message edited by: The Genius ]</font>

[Alex]

Interesting comment about Thome on the basepaths.

Is Jason Giambi any better? I saw Giambi "motoring" around the bases recently, and it looked like the top half of his body was moving completely independent of his lower body.