Jim Thome's disappointing 2005 season is over. He'll have elbow surgery next week after having played only 59 games this year, hitting .207 with seven homers and 30 RBI. Indians fans like me who wanted to see Thome re-sign with the Indians three years ago have mixed feelings about the fact that his sub-par season, his ill health and his fat contract are the Phillies' problems these days.
The Indians made him a fair offer in 2002, and a majority of the fans I talked to wanted very much for him to stay. He left for the boatload of money the Phillies agreed to pay him, which was $25 million more than the Indians offered. I guess it was mostly about the money back then, despite protestations to the contrary by the Thomes. And now that his continued viability as a productive major leaguer is in doubt halfway through a six-year contract, it's mostly about the money now.
The Phillies are paying Thome $11.5 million for the above numbers this season, and at age 35 (as of 8/27), he is due $12.5 million in 2006, and $14 million in each of 2007 and 2008. Thome did put together two excellent seasons with the Phillies in 2003 and 2004, with 89 homers and 236 RBI combined, but the 40 million bucks he is owed by the Phillies just about equals the entire Indians payroll for 2005, and it appears that he might never again be the offensive threat he once was. For the Phillies sake, and because Thome is a good guy, I hope I'm wrong.
Three years ago, Thome was the man who was going to turn things around for the Phils. One of the reasons he said he was leaving Cleveland was that he felt the Phillies were closer to winning than the rebuilding Tribe. The Indians offered $60 million over five years. If I recall the Phillies package was $70 plus million over five years, and when they added the sixth year, something the Indians were unwilling to do for a 32 year old player, the deal was done. Since that day, the Phillies have won squat, and the Indians of today have a better record, with Thome's replacement Travis Hafner leading the team in batting average and home runs.
If he doesn't return to form after rehabbing the elbow and dealing with his bad back, Thome may start questioning his decision to leave an ideal situation for him in Cleveland. There were so many reasons for him to stay, not least the American League's DH rule, which might have added years to his career. Now the prospect of keeping him healthy enough to play over 100 games in a season is kind of dicey, and if he's batting .207, who even wants him in the lineup?
This isn't intended to suggest Thome's baseball obituary. I'm rooting for him to come back strong, although I'd love it if the Indians make the postseason before the Phillies do, so as to secure the last laugh. Tribe G.M. Mark Shapiro is seeing his concerns about Thome's physical durability born out even earlier than he thought he might when he drew the line at a five year deal.
If I'd had my way in 2002, the Indians would be the ones crying the blues today about trying to get their money's worth out of a fading star player. Instead, we're positioned for a late season run with a young, coming team, and it's the Phillies who are wondering what they're going to get over the next three years for their second 40 million dollars.
So why am I not happier about the situation?
Posted by dan at August 11, 2005 12:36 AM