THOME TO THE SOX no Konerko back??

by china423 on Nov 23, 2005 2:55 PM CST

The Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to trade first baseman Jim Thome to the Chicago White Sox for center fielder Aaron Rowand.

The deal, confirmed by the Phillies, is expected to include major cash considerations due to the size of Thome's contract, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reported. The deal is dependent on players passing physicals.

Thome, 35, is due about $12.5 million in 2006 and $14 million in each of the final two seasons of his six-year contract. The Phillies have a club option for 2009, and he has a no-trade clause.

The four-time All-Star hit .207 with seven homers and 30 RBI in 59 games this year before having season-ending surgery on his right elbow in August. Thome has 430 homers since making his major-league debut in 1991.

Rowand, 28, set career highs in 2004 by hitting .310 with 38 doubles, 24 homers and 69 RBI.

He became eligible for salary arbitration for the first time after making $340,000 in 2004, and signed a new contract with the White Sox in January.

He earned $2 million in 2005 and is expected to receive $3.25 million in 2006. Chicago has a club option for 2007 at $5 million and Rowand holds a player option for 2007 at $3.25 million.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

Tweet Comment 31 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

as I mentioned in another thread

good luck to the Sox with him.

Given Thome's injuries last season I wouldn't want to touch that.

2006 -- AC036097 -- Eamus Catuli!

by priorpwnz on Nov 23, 2005 3:06 PM CST reply actions

I wonder if...

... this would make Abreu more available.

by Al Yellon on Nov 23, 2005 4:05 PM CST reply actions

If Michaels moves to right

Maybe the Phillies would be interested in Patterson as a fourth outfielder, with Burrell, Rowand, and Michaels as starters. They have lefty power at first and second base. Maybe Patterson could be included in a deal with some major pitching for Abreu. I think the Cubs would have to get that pitching from elsewhere, though. I don't see Gillick being interested in the Cubs' prospects directly.

by cubzfan on Nov 23, 2005 9:01 PM CST up reply actions

That depends...

... how badly they want to get rid of Abreu's contract.

by Al Yellon on Nov 23, 2005 9:04 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think...........

..........the Phils can afford to unload Thome and Abreu all at once. Rowand and Micheals could likely man CF/RF, but that's a ton of power to send packing. It would free up quite a bit of cash, but they should already have the money needed to cement Wagner's return with something left over to pursue a starter.

by tville on Nov 23, 2005 9:07 PM CST up reply actions

I would guess that Konerko isn't back

To me, this signals that Kenny Williams doesn't want to get involved in a bidding war. I think that's smart. It just depends where you think you can get the most production..from Thome and Brian Anderson at a cost of 13M or from Konerko and Rowand (at a cost of at least 15M (12 for Konerko and 3 for Rowand). I'd go with the former.

by mikew on Nov 23, 2005 4:13 PM CST reply actions

But...

I think you're taking an awful risk that a 35 year old coming off of elbow surgery with back issues is going to be able to be productive. To me it just doesn't make any sense that you would take this type of a risk.

by Bill M on Nov 23, 2005 4:23 PM CST reply actions

Konerko

I don't think this automatically signals the end of Konerko's days in Chicago. With Thome's injury prone body, they may want him in the DH role and still try to keep Konerko. This may actually be the sign of the last days of Frank Thomas in Chicago or baseball all together.

by mkamper on Nov 23, 2005 4:23 PM CST reply actions

Big Frank's Future

I would definetly agree with you. It would seem much more understandable to want Konerko back and part ways with Thomas. I think that taking a gamble on Thome as a DH is a high risk high reward sort of deal while Thomas is just a high risk.

by DTJchris on Nov 24, 2005 10:59 PM CST up reply actions

It could

mean that Konerko is leaving. But what it really means is that Frank Thomas is gone. Thome is going to DH for the White Sox, so they could still sign Konerko and have him play at first.

But it is certainly proof that they aren't confident that Konerko's coming back. And I'm awfully puzzled as to why they'd trade Rowand. Could we offer stuff to the Phillies for him instead of the Marlins for Pierre?

I never travel far without a little Big Star

by Josh Timmers on Nov 23, 2005 5:02 PM CST reply actions

I'd love that...

... Rowand is just the sort of clubhouse guy the Cubs need, not to mention his great CF play.

by Al Yellon on Nov 23, 2005 5:14 PM CST up reply actions

Me too....

Really would prefer Rowand to Pierre...I hope Hendry has at least asked TB about Carl Crawford though....

by airweino on Nov 23, 2005 5:18 PM CST up reply actions

Odd

I doubt he would be available.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Nov 23, 2005 7:07 PM CST up reply actions

Aaron's Amigos...

I don't remember any Cub fans expressing a preference for Rowand OVER Korey Patterson last year. Interesting...

by DrCrawdad on Nov 23, 2005 8:10 PM CST up reply actions

if you told me

last year that Korey would be sent to the minors, and would suck at life in '05, I wouldn't be stunned.

At the same time though I'd be very skeptic.

Anything can happen.

2006 -- AC036097 -- Eamus Catuli!

by priorpwnz on Nov 23, 2005 8:22 PM CST up reply actions

Only

because we don't talk much about Rowand or the Sox. I would have traded Patterson for Rowand in a heartbeat last offseason.

But why would we have even mentioned him? He wasn't available then. In fact, it seems the only reason he was available now is because the Phillies offered Thome and a ton of cash.

We really don't spend any more time thinking about Sox players than we do Mets players or Tigers. I have no idea what your point is here.

I never travel far without a little Big Star

by Josh Timmers on Nov 23, 2005 10:10 PM CST up reply actions

Adios Aaron

"In fact, it seems the only reason he was available now is because the Phillies offered Thome and a ton of cash."

It was no surprise to me that Rowand was dealt. Aaron has had a very good career, so far, but he's expendable with the young outfielders the Sox have ready to go: Brian Anderson, Chris Young, Jerry Owens, Ryan Sweeney and heck even Joe Borchard might get a shot at the job.

If healthy, Thome is a great addition to the Sox. I like the trade and I wish Rowand the best.

"Only because we don't talk much about Rowand or the Sox."

There was all kinds of Sox talk here as the Sox were on their way to a sweep of the World Series.

by DrCrawdad on Nov 24, 2005 12:31 AM CST up reply actions

Are you freaking dense??

You were referring to why there weren't any Cub fans talking about trading for Rowand BEFORE last season. How much did we talk about the White Sox moves last off-season? OK, we talked a lot about the Lee for Podsednik trade because we hated the fact that we'd have to face Lee 15 times a year. But we certainly don't scan the White Sox roster searching for players we wish were Cubs, anymore than we scan the Mets or Tigers.

If you weren't talking about last off-season, then I don't know what the hell you are talking about. Right now most Cub fans would trade Corey Patterson for the rotting corpse of Luke Appling.

Of course we were talking abut the White Sox during the WS. We talked about the Red Sox last World Series.

You do realize you are living proof that White Sox fans are completely obsessed with the Cubs. You guys win a freaking World Series and all you seem to care to do is go on a Cub board and see what Cub fans think about the Thome trade.

What do you care what we think? YOU WON THE WORLD SERIES! GET OVER IT!

I never travel far without a little Big Star

by Josh Timmers on Nov 24, 2005 1:06 AM CST up reply actions

Thanks for making me laugh

"(THE WHITE SOX) WON THE WORLD SERIES! GET OVER IT!"

The Cubbies are very popular and draw very well. Can Cubbie fans get over that? No. A day hardly slips by without Cubbie fans thumping their chest about the Cubbies popularity/attendance.

One month ago the Sox won the '05 World Series and I'm suppose to be over it?

Thanks for making me laugh.

by DrCrawdad on Nov 28, 2005 9:04 PM CST up reply actions

Who is Korey???

Hey, Monday morning QB, I don't recall any fans of the other Chicago baseball team too keen on having Podsednik over Carlos Lee either. Things can change over time, can't they. Rowand has taken a step forward while COREY Patterson regressed.

by cubboy89 on Nov 23, 2005 10:24 PM CST up reply actions

pitching, defense, team

nothing says it better than trading for Thome.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Nov 23, 2005 11:46 PM CST up reply actions

Weren't you one of the many Cub fans...

...who spouted about how the Sox would get swept in the ALDS, and negatively criticized every move the Sox made last season?

Pitching, team and defense?

2005 World Series Champion White Sox.

by DrCrawdad on Nov 24, 2005 12:11 AM CST up reply actions

some more troll food

"Weren't you one of the many Cub fans.."

yeah, then there were about 100 million other baseball fans who thought the same thing.

"negatively criticized every move the Sox made last season?"

nope, thought the Lee move was good coming out of all the steroid scandals, too bad they are going away from it.

*yawm*

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Nov 24, 2005 12:52 AM CST up reply actions

Well...

I have to admit that I was one of the 100 million. I criticized KW's moves last year because I really only see Podsednik as a fourth outfielder, and I feel he is very overrated.

When you say "if healthy" that is not a good sign. I don't know, but I think KW is expecting too much good luck. I don't like the Thome trade, but good luck with him Doc.

sPaRkLe Hendry sPaRkLe!

by sparkles721 on Nov 24, 2005 10:09 AM CST up reply actions

Did The Sox trade for Thome..

... because Mo Vaughn was unavailable?

by BeerCub on Nov 24, 2005 10:33 AM CST up reply actions

Don't understand comment

No offense but your comment doesnt make sense. Patterson had potential, yes it is weird to say, but he did at one point seem like he could be our CF of the future. Not to say he has no chance of ever becoming a good, maybe even great, player, its just that the cubs have wasted enough time and effort on him waiting for this potential.

by DTJchris on Nov 24, 2005 11:04 PM CST up reply actions

if hendry is attempting to trade for phillie o.f.

i hope he is targeting abreu and not rowand. my guess is the phillies want/need to hang onto both of them just to keep pace with the mets addition of delgado. even with the florida rummage sale, the phillies have a tough battle ahead with atlanta and the mutts in the east.

by dc60123 @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Nov 23, 2005 7:12 PM CST up reply actions

How do you think

Rowand would feel about moving to the north side? I'm on board for the abreu thing rather than Rowand...it seemed that he only really stepped it up when he thought his job was on the line, no real consistency. Abreu's power is always consistent.

by Kinky Reggae on Nov 23, 2005 10:17 PM CST reply actions

well

I think if your team trades you away for a fat old guy who is usually injured but is a bigger name you might be more likely to say &%$@ 'em.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Nov 23, 2005 11:47 PM CST up reply actions

What's the matter with Pierre?

Can someone explain why one wouldn't want Pierre in a Cub uni leading off in '06? I ask as there seems to be some that would be against this and some who might prefer someone else, such as Aaron Rowand, for example (I'd rather have Pierre and don't think the Phils recently acquired Rowand to immediately trade him anyway). I realize Pierre's OBP and BA dropped somewhat in '05, but this guy is as solid as they come. He's durable, puts the ball in play, , gets on base, steals bases, has a lifetime BA of .305, runs balls down in the outfield, and is only 28 years old. He's also in a contract year, which may give him some added incentive, too. What's not to like? Rowand looks to be to a good one, but then again, let's see if he can show more consistency and do it for more than just 2 years. I'm interested to hear what Juan Pierre does NOT bring to the table. He sounds a lot like Lofton in the 2nd half of '03, Walton in '89 and Dernier in '84, all good years for us. Thanks.

by cubboy89 on Nov 23, 2005 11:01 PM CST reply actions

.326

Was his OBP last season. That's why. Pretty terrible for a leadoff man. Yes, I know he was much better in 2003 and 2004. But a lot of his ability to get on base in tied up with his batting average (he walks more than Patterson, but he's not a 80-100 walk guy) and a lot of his batting average is tied into his ability to get infield hits. Speed is usually the first thing to go with ballplayers and once Pierre loses his, he'll be Jose Macias without the versatility.

Plus, the guy throws like a girl.

I never travel far without a little Big Star

by Josh Timmers on Nov 24, 2005 12:52 AM CST up reply actions