Frank Thomas signs with A's

by talonk on Jan 25, 2006 5:48 PM EST Comment 10 comments

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060125&content_id=1300724&vkey=hotstove 2005&fext=.jsp

Maybe we have another team to try and make a deal with. The A's have overloaded themselves with hitters ...

They have Payton (LF), Kotsay (CF), Bradley (RF), Kielty (L/RF), Swisher (RF/1B), Dan Johnson (1B/DH) and now Thomas DH. That means at least two of them sit each day (likely Kielty and ??) ...

I'd love to swing a deal for Swisher (doubt that Beane would let him go tho) but Payton and Kotsay are definitely more proven than Michaels/Kearns and either one could/should be able to duplicate Coco's numbers in LF.

Beane loves OPS and RPs so deal him a top RP not on 40 man, and a top OF prospect (Franky, Snyder, etc. - not all will make our team in 07 or 08) ...

Whaddya think?

Dean

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Re: Frank Thomas signs with A's

Probably Payton is the one most available of that bunch. He's probably a better option than Michaels, but would Oakland take back Rhodes for him?

by Ryan on Jan 25, 2006 6:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Frank Thomas signs with A's

Well, you would guess that Payton and Kielty would be the odd men out usually. I don't know, neither one is very exiting.

by dgcambridge on Jan 25, 2006 7:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Frank Thomas signs with A's

Oops, I meant that neither one is very exciting.
One of them certainly might be exiting.

by dgcambridge on Jan 25, 2006 7:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Frank Thomas signs with A's

As long as its not Kielty, I'll take an exiting Payton.

Would it do us well to up the ante and try for Swisher?

by talonk on Jan 25, 2006 7:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Frank Thomas signs with A's

When I think of Jay Payton, I think of an outfielder who can do a little of everything, but nothing great. Can hit 15 - 20 HR (unless he's a Rockie), play centerfield fairly well or be an outstanding defender in a corner. Perfectly capable of hitting .300 in a year, but almost certainly won't do it every year. If he would just walk more, he could get his OBP above .350 and really be an above average starter.

I think I just described Coco Crisp, except that Payton is 33. Certainly before last year Crisp wasn't regarded as a lock to be an above average corner outfielder. Now, Crisp is young enough that 2005 might have been just a step on the way up. Or maybe he'll be up and down and have a very Payton-like career.

Now if you look at Payton's stats, you'll find some years that fit Crisp better than others, but his overall career numbers are .282/.331/.443. That's not an unreasonable projection for Crisp.

by dgcambridge on Jan 25, 2006 7:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Frank Thomas signs with A's

Granted Payton is 33, but he would be a stopgap for this year and maybe 2007 til the kids are ready. If we fit Payton into Crisp's role (sounds like your description says that), and we can upgrade to Marte for 3B in 2007, I'm all for it.

I just don't have the foggiest what we would need to give up to satisy Beane to get Payton (not to mention I do not have his salary handy - hoping not too much).

If we ended up trading Crisp, Bard, Riske, and say Bear Bray or Ben Francisco (too much??) and get Marte, Shoppach, Delcarmen, and Payton, I would definitely like our chances this year and next.

Of course I'd rather have Swisher, but he would cost us a top prospect which I believe Shapiro is loath to deal right now.

by talonk on Jan 25, 2006 8:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Frank Thomas signs with A's

I'd rather have Swisher too, but it would probably be very pricey.
Really my comparison was to say that we might be getting a little too carried away with Crisp's future. I hope he ends up better than Payton. And he has had two pretty consistent years in a row.
I guess it is true that Payton could do almost exactly what Crisp did and be a good stopgap. But he might also put up one of his junk years.
As for Michaels vs Payton, I would much prefer Michaels. Am I wrong?

by dgcambridge on Jan 25, 2006 8:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Frank Thomas signs with A's

Beane has said in interviews that he won't trade Swisher or Johnson unless he was blown away with a deal.

Your best shot is with Kielty or more likely Payton. Payton's Contract is $4 mill for next year with an option for the next.

The A's have someone players with injury plagued histories, that they may be likely just stay where they are.

by AsFan on Jan 25, 2006 8:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Frank Thomas signs with A's

Well if it $4 mil, then it shouldn't cost us a top prospect; if he was cheaper, I think the prospect would have to be higher.

But yeah, with Thomas' injury history they probably won't deal anyone, but it was food for thought ;)

As for Kielty, he is a great #4, but I don't think he can start consistently, maybe a low level minor leaguer for him and he could platoon with Blake ..... nah, we already have Hollandsworth for that .....

by talonk on Jan 25, 2006 8:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs