Jays Showing The Yanks How It’s Done?
Via ESPN.com -
The Toronto Blue Jays released slumping designated hitter Frank Thomas Sunday, cutting the 19-year veteran loose one day after he was angry for being taken out of the lineup.
Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi told ESPN’s Peter Gammons that the release of Thomas was “by mutual consent. He doesn’t want to be here if he’s not going to play much, and we don’t want him to be unhappy. He handled it with class, and I appreciate that.”
The move leaves the Blue Jays on the hook for the remainder of the two-year $18 million contract the 39-year-old Thomas signed in November 2006.
Wow. If the Blue Jays are willing to eat $9 million on Frank Thomas, shouldn’t the Yankees be willing to take a knife and fork to the remainder of Jason Giambi’s contract too?
A-men. In fact, do it as soon as Shelley gets back.
Hell Yeah! Giambi needs to go. After hitting into an inning ending double play in the 6th with the bases loaded and then blowing the throw to Jeter in the bottom half when Andy had Roberts picked off is just embarrassing. He’s an old over-the-hill player. I realize it’ll hurt to eat his salary but he does nothing but hurt the team offensively, defensively and on the bases too. I would much rather have Duncan getting his at bats.
On another note why didn’t the Yankees ever try to void his contract when he admitted using steroids?
They can start by giving him less PT.
From Pete Abe over at LoHud:
“Giambi is 5 for 45 this season. If you take away his 3 for 3 against Mike Timlin, he is 2 for 42 (.048) with 0 homers and 2 RBI. Um …”
Ummm… agreed.
I gotta say, Toronto’s move seems bush league. Yeah, Thomas was starting slow, but he’s notorious for that and he’d probably put up similar numbers to last season. If they didn’t want him to hit the vesting option, they never should have given it to him, and Toronto is never going to be able to offer such a deal again. They continue to be a poorly run organization, which is good for us as Yankee fans.
As far as Giambi, well, he’s done.
I think it’s a bit different that the Jays cut him now, as opposed to cutting him when he was close to his option vesting.
A legit move from the Jays, IMO
Ummm…except that the equation is not that simple. The Jays were on the hook for 10 million next year if Thomas reached a benchmark number of PAs. They cut him because he was slumping, yes, but really they did it to avoid eating the 10 million next season. So really, this makes their decision to “eat 9 million” much more understandable; the decision was about more than just baseball, and is not really comparable to Giambi’s situation.
Ummm…except that the equation is not that simple.
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You’re right. However, if it were only about the $$, the Jays had other options. Heck, they could’ve cut him earlier than they did, either last offseason or during ST. I’m sure they could’ve gotten something for him, minor league fodder, cash considerations, whatever. They could’ve picked up his option for 2009 then released him this offseason. Or somehow moved him.
I find it a strange move from Toronto’s point of view unless they have someone very good waiting in the wings that I’m not aware of. Personally, I think it’s worth taking a shot at elite players (and Thomas is in the highest echelon of elite offensive players – easily the best career numbers of any active player). Other people don’t agree with that philosophy, which is fine, but then why give him the contract in the first place? If you’re not in the position to take the chance, well, why take the chance and then not even wait to see if it pays off? It seems, ostensibly, like a classic Steinbrenner panic move. Of course, there may be more to it, but that’s just my impression from what I’ve seen.
Getting back to Giambi, he was barely over league average last year. That’s simply not acceptable production for a 1B/DH. On the other hand, while the Yankees have several players capable of filling those positions, they don’t have a really stellar alternative. I wouldn’t argue with a decision either way on him, unless they had a significantly better option.
It was a smart move by Ricciardi,because they have a chance to win this year and can’t have the Hurt hurt them anymore.Was it pushing the rules?Yeah,but Thomas didn’t want to be on the bench and pinch hit.In essence,his pride got in the way and JP resolved the situation to the satisfaction of both parties AND the Jays save 10 million next year.JP and Gibby’s heads are on the chopping blocks so they really need at the very least to make the playoffs AND by cutting Thomas they will save salary next year and can bring in Bonds without a hassle from Thomas. The Jays can’t afford to get off to a bad start and there is a sense of urgency becuase the Rogers family wants to have a winning franchise to make them some money and JP and Gibby will be gone if they underachieve.
As for the Yanks and Giambi,Giambi makes 23 million and that’s without luxury tax!So the Yankees will be liable for what 30 million plus the option next year?That is a lot of money even for the Yankees.The Jays have much less payroll flexibilty so they can really use the extra 10 million next year!It’s apples and oranges withe the Jays/Thomas situation.I think Giambi will accept a lesser role for the sake of the team and that would be better in this situation.To cut 30 million pro rated plus 5 next year,when the guy is popular in the clubhouse AND will probably accept a bench role is different from Thomas who wanted to be the man!
Giambi’s situation is different, the Jay’s are cutting him to prevent the 10M for 09 to vest, but the only real quesiton for the Yankees is wether Giambi’s any good. right now? no. though the sample size is at a point where there is still some hope left. if he’s not turning it around 3-4 wekks from now. then yes. cut him.
He has some things going for him, he’s not whiffing much and he’s still walking a ton. but his ridiculasly low LD% doesn’t bold well. still that’s kinda freakish because he’s hit like 1 LD so far. if he say… goes 4-4 with 4 LD tomorrow he suddenly go right back to normal realm again.