Rumor: The Diamondbacks could have interest in Jim Thome
Aug 22, 2011, 7:26 PM | Updated: 9:39 pm
The Arizona Diamondbacks have made it clear they’d like to add another bat to their lineup for the playoff push. Apparently there is a guy with 600 career home runs who they could be interested in.
ESPN’s Buster Olney, via Twitter, dropped the interesting tidbit that Jim Thome could be just the offensive pick me up that the D-backs are in search of.
Teams for which Thome might fit: Cleveland (Hafner injured), Angels, Texas, NYY, SF, ARIZ, MILW, ATL. So no, he won’t get to the Phillies.
Thome, who was just recently placed on waivers by the Twins, could be an intriguing option for Kirk Gibson’s crew. With just $600,000 remaining on his contract he could be an affordable option for the always price conscious club. The problem is, he hasn’t played in the field since June 13 of 2007. For the last six seasons he’s made his living in the American League as a designated hitter, meaning the D-backs would either be in for an adventure if they wanted to play him at first base or his role would primarily be as a pinch hitter off the bench.
With only a one-and-a-half game lead over the Giants and 35 games left to play Thome’s experience could give the D-backs the boost they need to hold off the defending champs. That or he could just be the expensive towel rack at Chase Field with an impressive resume. That is if they have any real interest at all.
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