Big Hurt Released!
A bit of a shocker today as the Jays released Frank Thomas. Not too much of a surprise after news came out yesterday that the team had told Frank he was no longer the starting DH. Frank didn't take the news too well, and spoke out in the media. I think the team, realizing this was going to be a big distraction, decided to resolve the situation immediately and gave Frank his release.
It looks like Matt Stairs will probably take over the DHing duties full-time and the team will likely call up Adam Lind to platoon in left with Shannon Stewart.
As to how I feel about this move, I think it is the right decision. Thomas has turned into an all or nothing player. It was either an extra base hit from him or an out. You have have your DH batting below .200 for the first two months of the season and hope he heats up by September. Sure his power will be missed but with Scott Rolen due to come back in a week or two you get another strong bat in the lineup. Stairs is a more consistent hitter than Thomas so even though he does not possess the power of Thomas, he will hit for a much higher average. The move also makes room on the roster for Adam Lind who has started strong at Syracuse and seems to have overcome some of the problems he had a the plate last season while with the Jays.
I'll be very interested to hear the reaction of this news from the players and the rationale for this move from John Gibbons and J.P. Riccardi.
Hard to believe it came to this so early, but I agree it's probably the right move. You can't have a your DH batting below the Mendoza line until after the All-Star Break every year. I think the fact that Ricciardi and Gibbons know they're gonners if the Jays aren't competitive with the Red Sox and Yankees this year may have boosted the urgency. That's good to see for a change!
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I like the flexibility it gives them in their lineup. Now instead of giving guys nights off they can move them into the DH position for a night for a bit of a break. Of course, Gibby hasn't figured that out yet and is giving his best players nights off regardless.
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