Thome leaves Sox several options -- like keeping Konerko
The most important thing to know about the tentative acquisition of slugger Jim Thome by the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday is this: It does not mean the World Series champions are resigned to losing first baseman Paul Konerko.
|
|
| Jim Thome will DH if Paul Konerko re-signs or play first base if Konerko leaves. (Getty Images) |
This is not a guarantee yet, of course, because Konerko remains perhaps the most desirable slugger on the free-agent market. Several teams are interested, and the Los Angeles Angels in particular are lasered in on him. The Angels, according to several industry sources, are being very aggressive in attempting to bring Konerko west.
The beauty in general manager Kenny Williams' bold move on Thanksgiving eve, acquiring Thome and cash from Philadelphia for center fielder Aaron Rowand and two unidentified minor-leaguers, is this: If Konerko does bolt, Thome can slide into the first-base spot, and the Sox can use Frank Thomas or somebody else as a DH.
If Konerko stays, Thome will DH and, in this scenario, Thomas' days in a White Sox uniform are all but finished.
The Phillies agreed to pay $22 million of the remaining $46 million owed Thome, sources told CBS Sportsline.com, and don't fear, White Sox fans, pitching prospect Brandon McCarthy is not one of the two as yet unidentified minor-leaguers (both are low-level pitching prospects, sources said).
The deal is not expected to become official until sometime after Thanksgiving because the players involved must pass physicals. Rowand, who was just in Chicago over the weekend, flew home to Las Vegas earlier this week. He will need to head back east for the physical and, given the time frame, that will not be done before Thursday.
Rowand was expendable in the White Sox's eyes because of Brian Anderson, a top prospect who has been deemed ready to step into the starting outfield in 2006. If he fails in center field, the Sox can slide Scott Podsednik over from left and find a corner outfielder.
Thome, if healthy, will be a huge addition to the White Sox. But his health is a definite question. He has battled hand and back injuries since leaving Cleveland for Philadelphia following the 2002 season. He batted only .207 with seven homers and 30 RBI in 59 games last season and underwent season-ending elbow surgery on Aug. 16.
Two seasons ago, however, he clobbered 42 homers and drove in 105 runs in 143 games. If he can regain that form, look out.
Thome, 35, waived a no-trade clause before the deal could be put into place, but that was no surprise because he is a native of Peoria, Ill. A move back to Chicago is a natural for him and immediately gives the White Sox another fan favorite -- providing, of course, he produces.
The trade is the first significant move by new Philadelphia GM Pat Gillick, and he certainly wasted no time. With the emergence of rookie Ryan Howard in Thome's absence last summer, the Phillies were expected to explore trade options with Thome, working to get out from under the weight of the giant contract.
In Rowand, who batted .270 with 13 homers (24 in 2004), 30 doubles and 69 RBI last season, they upgraded in center field -- a spot manned by free agent Kenny Lofton for much of last season.
The move also frees up some money for Philadelphia, which currently is battling the New York Mets in attempting to sign free-agent closer Billy Wagner and upgrade at catcher and third base.
