Goodbye Jim Thome and Jason Kubel

[IamZombie]

thome traded to indians

So much for that ring he wanted.

[bassnbucks]

I just hope Cuddy is back next year. That guy plays hard no matter how far out of it they are.

[Big Dave2]

Twins send Jim Thome back to Cleveland

. Designated hitter Jim Thome has been traded to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for a player to be named later, a Twins official has confirmed. The deal takes Thome away from the 55-75 Twins and up to the fringes of the American League Central race. Cleveland. at 63-64, is 61/2 games behind first-place Detroit in the division race.

UPDATE:The Twins have now released a statement announcing the deal.

The Indians need offense, with designated hitter Travis Hafner’s season in danger because of a strained tendon in his right foot. Thome, who turns 41 on Saturday, can step right into Cleveland’s everyday lineup.

Thome returns to the team he broke in with and slugged 334 home runs over 12 seasons.

Armed with a no-trade clause in his $3 million contract, Thome had the power to veto any deal he didn’t like.

There was speculation that Thome would veto any deal and force the Twins to release him, where he could turn down more attempts to claim him so he could eventually sign with the Phillies, a near lock to make the playoffs. Instead, he heads back to Cleveland, where he was on Tribe teams that lost the World Series in 1995 and 1997.

As soon as Thome hit home run No. 600 on Aug. 15 in Detroit, speculation started on if Thome would be traded. Thome spoke highly of his time with the Twins, but also pointed out that his career might not be complete without a World Series title - or at least a shot at one.

With the Twins far out of the picture, Thome's days here seemed to be numbered.

"When you have gone to two World Series and you haven't accomplished it, it eats at you," he said at the time, "and that's one thing that is still there. Is the next chapter [retirement] out there? That's what you want to find out."

The Twins will announce a move to fill Thome's spot on the roster tomorrow,. With Michael Cuddyer and Joe Mauer banged up, and the Twins needing a rested pitcher IT COULD BE ANYONE!!!!!!

[MinnesnowtaWild]

Cool...even more no name losers will be called up. I wonder if Bill Smith is trying to create the worst team in the AL? Oh wait, we already pretty much are.

[harvey lee]

Thanks Big Jim amd Jason for the games.

We will get about zero again. Just giving players away, hopefully we sign Cuddy with the savings and go after some pitching.

[paceman]

Good Luck Big Jim. Your going to need it in Cleveland. They won't catch Detroit.

[Harmonica Bear]

See ya, bye. It was a nice run. Thanks for the little bit of history.

[B. Amish]

well the thome deal is final and the twins didn't get a player in return, they got $20,000 from the indians.

ouch!

[mrklean]

that stinks

[paceman]

That sucks. What a stupid deal.......

[mrklean]

even if we could have gotten some no name prospect that was very green at least someone in return, whats that $20,00 gonna cover a couple of doc visits to Mayo for Mauer

[B. Amish]

a true steal for the indians. even though they didn't make the playoffs, i bet they sold a [PoorWordUsage] load of tickets because of big Jim.

[PierBridge]

What were you guys expecting for a 40-year old DH/PH that can't run and is going to retire here shortly?

Anything above nothing would a be steal for him at this point. It wasn't about getting something for him it was about respect for Thome and giving him a chance to go back to cleveland and possibly contend for the play-offs.