MLB: Big Hurt Released

travman23 · 04-20-2008, 10:55 AM

ESPN - Report: Blue Jays release Thomas after slow start to 2008 season - MLB

Day after he spoke out about being benched...

LindenCy · 04-20-2008, 12:28 PM

I am curious where he ends up. I almost hope he retires before he lets his career average drop below .300.

superdorf · 04-20-2008, 01:11 PM

Waaaa!!!! I'm a big baby...

I can't believe Frank is going out like this... Just retire and quite being a *****!

jbing · 04-20-2008, 04:55 PM

Frank is one of my all time favorites. I'd also like to see him retire with dignity. I'd like to see him back in Chicago, but the Sox don't exactly need a DH right now. However, maybe they'll do one of those one-day contracts so he can retire a White Sox (sock?). I know I'd like to see that.

He's had a rough end to his career, but he's still HOF material.

ISUAlum2002 · 04-20-2008, 04:59 PM

I remember when he made a big stink about his contract while he was in Chicago. Think he was threatening to sit out or something. He hasn't helped his image with this recent issue.

mwitt · 04-20-2008, 05:05 PM

Frank's image should be one where he was the most dominant RH hitter of the 1990s and was one of the most vocal players against steroids in baseball. He should keep his mouth shut more often, but he is no doubt a great player in an era where his numbers are unfortunately somewhat diminished by the accomplishments of those who cheated.

LindenCy · 04-20-2008, 05:15 PM

He is a HOFer no doubt in my mind.

Blue Jays release slumping DH Frank Thomas - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

With a career average of .302, Thomas is one of four players in baseball history with at least a .300 average, 500 home runs, 1,500 RBIs, 1,000 runs and 1,500 walks. The others are Mel Ott, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams.

He could have been even better, but he put up some nice numbers and I think 2 MVPs.

LindenCy · 04-20-2008, 05:18 PM

Yup, as far as MVPs, he won in 1993 and 1994 (although strike shortened, which overall probably hurt his career a lot, as well as going through a divorce) and he finished 2nd once (2000), and 3rd twice 1991 and 1997.

I think the one real drawback on his HOF candidacy is that he was a DH most of his career.

mwitt · 04-20-2008, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by LindenCy

Yup, as far as MVPs, he won in 1993 and 1994 (although strike shortened, which overall probably hurt his career a lot, as well as going through a divorce) and he finished 2nd once (2000), and 3rd twice 1991 and 1997.

Don't forget that 2000 the MVP went to the admittedly roided up Jason Giambi, and even then, it's still debatable who was more valuable that year.

Tpups21 · 04-20-2008, 05:24 PM

I would like to see my Twins sign him and platoon him with Kubel at DH, but I doubt they're interested.

LindenCy · 04-20-2008, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

Don't forget that 2000 the MVP went to the admittedly roided up Jason Giambi, and even then, it's still debatable who was more valuable that year.

Good point. I was just looking at that voting. Roids really messed up the clear athletes from that/this era.

superdorf · 04-20-2008, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by Tpups21

I would like to see my Twins sign him and platoon him with Kubel at DH, but I doubt he's interested.

Fixed it for you.

He was willing to make a big stink with his former team because they benched him. He doesn't think he is a role player... He thinks he's an everyday player.

cmoore_23 · 04-20-2008, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by Tpups21

I would like to see my Twins sign him and platoon him with Kubel at DH, but I doubt they're interested.

took the words right out of my mouth

shagcarpetjesus · 04-21-2008, 01:03 PM

To a certain extent, I understand where the Big Hurt is coming from on this. This move isn't just about the Blue Jays getting rid of a guy who no longer produces. The Blue Jays benched him because they didn't want him to get enough ABs to trigger his option for next year. IMO, J.P. Ricciardi (the Blue Jays GM) is one of the worst in baseball and this is just par for the course with him. Thomas is a notoriously slow-starter and even though he's only hitting .167 right now, he's still hit 3 HRs and driven in 11 runs. Last year he hit 26 HRs with 95 HRs for the Blue Jays so it's not like he's been a complete dud in Toronto. Ricciardi doesn't want to pay Thomas next so he's cutting him loose. I think Big Frank is going to be one motivated dude after this and is going to put up some nice numbers for whoever picks him up. Just look at what he did in Oakland in '06 after he left the White Sox.

CloneFan65 · 04-21-2008, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by shagcarpetjesus

To a certain extent, I understand where the Big Hurt is coming from on this. This move isn't just about the Blue Jays getting rid of a guy who no longer produces. The Blue Jays benched him because they didn't want him to get enough ABs to trigger his option for next year. IMO, J.P. Ricciardi (the Blue Jays GM) is one of the worst in baseball and this is just par for the course with him. Thomas is a notoriously slow-starter and even though he's only hitting .167 right now, he's still hit 3 HRs and driven in 11 runs. Last year he hit 26 HRs with 95 HRs for the Blue Jays so it's not like he's been a complete dud in Toronto. Ricciardi doesn't want to pay Thomas next so he's cutting him loose. I think Big Frank is going to be one motivated dude after this and is going to put up some nice numbers for whoever picks him up. Just look at what he did in Oakland in '06 after he left the White Sox.

Couldn't agree more. I don't blame Thomas for being upset. He's not being benched or released to make the team better, he was benched so the team can save money. Most likely the team was sitting back and waiting for the Big Hurt to go through his first slump of the season so they could pull this.