Thome signs with Twins!

[bunkerbay]

We finally have someone with legit power! Even though hes 39 he hopefully will still have it. And now hopefully Kubel can play left field everyday and let Thome DH which puts Delmon on the bench!!!!

[Scott K]

Did we really need another left handed bat in the line up? Or even another outfielder?

[bunkerbay]

Prolly not but he's an established vet and you know what hes going to give you. Yes, he's going to strike out alot but he'll also prolly hit many bombs. Most of all like I said above I hope this move puts demlon on the bench, theres no way kubel or anyone can be worse in left field.

[Dahitman44]

We Got 'Em ...

Now if he was just right-handed and a little younger and could play the field a little ...

Not sure I "get" that signing.

[daylate]

They are gonna have to trade somebody. Kubel/young will have to go. I like this trade if it is 2005.

[mrklean]

haha i have to laugh thome a tiwn haha well hopefully he hits some bombs this year

[ThunderLund78]

I gotta say, this is just the distraction I needed to help me get over my Vikings hangover. Love the deal, the guy's a monster, let's hope its not Joe Crede all over again. Can't wait for outdoor baseball!

[bucketmouth64]

Not a bad signing. Adds veteran leadership. Twins must be thinking of putting Kubel in left and Young right handed DH. There must be more in the works, maybe a trade involving Young for some infield or pitcher. Whatever happens we need some right handed power. Too many left bats.

[zamboni]

I like it!!

[solbes]

We know he liked the Metrodome. Oh that's right, wrong ballpark!

Anyway, he can hit homers in MN. What was he, like #2 all time behind Frank Thomas here? I like the comment about 2005, that's when we should have signed him. Oh well.

[Cicada]

I don't get this either. You could just as well give him Crede's locker. In the past he was a Twin killer. Hopefully, at his age he is still not a Twins killer. Remind me, How many championships does this leader have?

[grousehunter]

Jim Thome will be a "bat off the bench" for the Twins, according to general manager Bill Smith.

Thome agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract early Tuesday evening. "The plan is for us to play Young (LF), Span (CF), Cuddyer (RF) and Kubel (DH). ... Jim Thome’s a bat off the bench," Smith said. This dogmatic stance is sure to disappoint Twins fans, who will justifiably believe Thome's bat against right-handed pitching is much more dangerous than Delmon Young's -- a lineup swap made possible by starting Kubel in left field. Thome will instead be a pinch-hitter and sporadic DH starter when giving starters a day off.

[Scott K]

I like the idea of having the extra power, and the lack of having him on a different team, hitting dingers against the Twins, but we need infielders, not a DH, or an over the hill slow outfielder.

Maybe Justin wont be ready, and they plan on putting him on 1st, or maybe they plan on Justin at 3rd, and Thome on 1st

[grousehunter]

For the price I like the signing as long as we use him in the role described above. Hopefully we will still sign a 2B or 3B before the season starts though.

[Duffman]

Bargin, if he works out - great, if not - no biggie.

Thome in our clubhouse? He's going to fit right in with those guys. Ya never know, I seem to remember recently, of another 39 yr old guy, coming to this town and having a heck of a year.

[mrklean]

i think for the price you cant complain at all, plus its always good to have a good vet in the club house

[SledNeck]

guy we should pick up some pinch runners to go along with him

[duckhuntr21]

That seems like alot of cash to pay someone for pinch hitting. Like said above, it would be sweet if we could trade some good talent to someone that thinks delmon has potential. One of these years we should be able to get on the clean end of the stick in a trade.

[greebs]

I like what Thome as a player but don't really see where he fits in on this team. Like others said, seems like we didn't need another left handed bat, especially one who doesn't run well.

I'm guessing this means no more pickups of any infielders and keeps Tolbert on the majors as their utility guy and designated pinch runner unless Valencia is ready which doesn't sound like the case. Can probably pencil in Harris at 3b and LNP at 2b unless the Valencia factor comes into play in which case Harris and Tolbert battle to see who becomes the utility guy. Guess I could see Harris be the odd one out too because seems he's not one Gardy's favorites.

Sounds like another team that will be favored to contend or win the AL Central but be huge underdogs in the playoffs if they make it. Not sure if it's enough to fool Mauer into thinking they are serious about contending for world series though.

[rayguy]

Oh boy this will get Mauer to sign. GEEEEEZZZ

[SledNeck]

We should pick up a closer that can pitch in the playoffs

[zamboni]

We should pick up a closer that can pitch in the playoffs

+1

[Scott K]

I dont think Nathan is anywhere near one of our needs.

[Big Tom]

Dang it's $1.5M. I don't think they overspent here. Very good signing in my mind.

Take a look at Delron's numbers before September and Kubel's afterwards. By eating up some DH AB's, it allows Kubel some more time in the field to push Delmon and the Twins a threat if they see postseason play. Only thing Gomez was pushing with his .220 average last year was Gardy's blood pressure into the red.

[Harmonica Bear]

1.5 mi. for a MLB team? Thats chump change. His presence and professionalism in the club house is worth that.

Delmon will be our starting left fielder and he isn't going anywhere. get over it.