Twins Resign Jim Thome

"Jim Thome is staying with the Twins. Thome, who hit 25 home runs last year and was key in the Twins' run to the American League Central title, today agreed to a one-year deal to return to the team. MLB.com reported that Thome will make a guaranteed $3 million (CBS Sports)."

I am glad that Thome stayed with the Twins. The team and city really seemed to embrace him, and he is still a good source of power. I am a little surprised that they got him so cheap, since Berkman got $8 million. I just don't see that much of a difference between the two. Anyways, good deal for the Twins.

Jim Thome To Texas?

"Jim Thome was one of the last notable free agents to find a new home last season, signing a one-year deal with the Minnesota Twins in early February. The 40-year-old Thome is playing the waiting game again this winter, and there are indications that the Texas Rangers are looking to make a move. ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports that the Rangers are in serious pursuit of Thome, who may be a better fit in Arlington than Anaheim (ESPN)."

Thome is really old, but he still has pop in his bat (25 HRs last year). At first glance the Rangers don't make a lot of sense after signing Beltre, and moving Young to DH, but you could see Young play some first base since Moreland and Chris Davis are nothing special. Plus Thome at this point is a platoon player. So, if the money is right they could be a nice signing, because like I said before he can still hit the long ball.

Dodgers Make Some Moves

The Dodgers acquired slugger Jim Thome from the White Sox and right-hander Jon Garland from the Diamondbacks on Monday after both players cleared waivers.

"I think it's made us stronger," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said after a 5-3 loss to the Diamondbacks. "We have a threat off the bench now, and in Garland we certainly have someone who knows how to pitch." ESPN

The Dodgers made some necessary moves in order to pull away from the Giants and the Rockies who have both been on fire of late. Jon Garland is nothing special, but you know what you will get from him (6-7 innings, 4er) and it looks like Thome will be coming off the bench because he really can't play first anymore. Either way it brings some depth to the pitching rotation and one of the greatest sluggers of this era coming off the bench.

Manny Wants To Go Back To Cleveland

Manny Ramirez is already yearning for the old days -- of Cleveland. Ramirez, who early last month signed a two-year, $45 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, says a return to the Cleveland Indians before retirement would be ideal. "I would like to play for Cleveland one more time, to go back where I started," Ramirez told USA Today. "I have so many good memories there, why not? "I think to go back where you started is everyone's dream (ESPN)."

God Manny you really know how to put your foot in your mouth. He just signed a two year deal with LA, and he is already talking about where he wants to go next. He is comes LA, this is how it starts, he already has one foot out the door and he just got there. Manny is a fucking moron, and just likes to say things.

First off the Indians don't want him back. The fans there boo him every time he comes back, and obviously Manny does not play for a discount, so I don't see them spending that kind of on that old of a player. To make matter worse he gets Thome saying he wants to go back...Great, that's what the Indians need to do. Load up on a bunch of old guys. Especially when one of them is coming real close to retirement (Thome).

Well have fun LA, the honeymoon might already be over...

Red Sox Lose To White Sox 4-2

The Red Sox lost a close one today. Wakefield looked good considering it is only his 2nd start since coming off the DL, going 6 innings allowing 3 runs on 6 hits with 3 Ks. Even with the decent like Wakefield look shaky in the 1st innings giving up a 2-run homer to Jim Thome. He was able to settle down till the 6th inning when he started to fall apart letting up another run. It seems like the Sox want to be very careful with the Wake, since they only let him pitch 82 pitches today. The Sox had a chance in the 9th inning when they were down 4-1, Lowrie was able to knock in a run on a ground out, and that set the stage for Pedrioa with 2 men on and 2 outs. Pedrioa was not able to come through for the Sox though as he popped out to left field. The Sox had a lot of opportunities to win this game, but they just couldn't get the key hits (2 runs on 8 hits). The good sign for the Sox was that Ellsbury was 3-4 and Delcarmen pitched 2 scoreless innings to give the Sox a chance. Boston is now 5 games back (about to be 5 1/2) in the AL East, but are up 3 games on Minnesota in the Wild Card Race (pending the result of the Minnesota vs. Oakland game).

-BMack

White Sox Beat Red Sox 6-5

Clay Buchholz once again got lit up today, and you have to wonder how much longer the Sox will stick with him, since he has lost his last 6 starts in a row. Boston had an early lead going up 3-0 on a Mike Lowell 3-run HR in the 1st. The good time did not last long, as Dye hit a solo HR in the very next inning followed by two 2-runs HRs in the 3rd by Quentin (side note: MVP???) and Jim Thome. Buchholz came back in during the 4th, but wasn't able to record an out. The Sox made a comeback in the late innings but it wasn't enough and the Sox lost 6-5.

-BMack