Frank Thomas?

[Frank the Tank]

Not a rumor thread in any way, but I'm throwing this out there. Maybe an incentive-laden contract to be a full-time DH and a 1B for a game or 2 (literally, if he can). Might be a stretch, but he's out there. Imagine the lineup with him in it...

Damon
Jeter
A-Rod
Giambi
Sheffield
Matsui
Thomas
Posada
Cano

[Mark19]

Not a rumor thread in any way, but I'm throwing this out there. Maybe an incentive-laden to be a full-time DH and a game or 2 (literally, if he can) at 1st. Might be a stretch, but he's out there. Imagine the lineup with him in it...

This reminds me of when the Sox tried to bring back Ellis Burks.

Thomas is too much of an injury risk and a team that already has so many DHs really doesn't have a spot for him.

[Spiker101]

The aptly named Big Hurt has the same essential problem that Mike Piazza has to be a Yankees DH: he swings from the wrong side of the plate.

[Yankees1962]

My concern about him besides the injury bug is his apparent lack of ability to play a position now. He was never a good first baseman and was even worse than Giambi.

[anyoneseenthebridge]

Frank Thomas has actually worn a Yankee uniform in the past, in the movie Mr. Baseball (the one where Tom Selleck goes to Japan). He played a young Yankee prospect.

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

We need a backup outfielder who can hit not a DH, why can't people understand this?

[Evil Empire]

Yeah, I'd prefer an OF who's better than Sheff. Pavano for Abreu anyone?

[NYYBombshell]

Why do we need to sign an aging player who's always hurt?

[climbingspaz]

living in chicago for the past eight years, i've seen thomas up close. he is still a very dangerous hitter.

but check out his last five years:

Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG TB SH SF IBB HBP GDP
2001 33 CHWAL 20 68 8 15 3 0 4 10 0 0 10 12 .221 .316 .441 30 0 1 2 0 0
2002 34 CHWAL 148 523 77 132 29 1 28 92 3 0 88 115 .252 .361 .472 247 0 10 2 7 10
2003 35 CHWAL 153 546 87 146 35 0 42 105 0 0 100 115 .267 .390 .562 307 0 4 4 12 11
2004 36 CHWAL 74 240 53 65 16 0 18 49 0 2 64 57 .271 .434 .562 135 0 1 3 6 2
2005 37 CHWAL 34 105 19 23 3 0 12 26 0 0 16 31 .219 .315 .590 62 0 3 0 0 2

source:http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/thomafr04.shtml

total number of games are way down. he has, however always drawn a lot of walks. career OBA = .427. he's definitely limited to half a position, first base, and i don't know of extremely reliable defensive statistics, but he looks pathetic nowadays at first, but bitches if he doesn't get to play the field. let me put it another way, i'd feel more comfortable with a one-legged giambi at first than with the Big Hurt.

in short, no to frank thomas. he's also kind of a malcontent, as he only played the media this year because it was a contract year and he was hurt so he couldn't let his numbers do the talking. the yankees don't need offense this badly.

now i'll get off my

[JDPNYY]

If they sign Frank the lineup would be like this:


Damon
Jeter
A-Rod
Giambi
Sheffield
Matsui
The guy replacing Thomas while he's on the DL most of the year
Posada
Cano

[Tifoso]

If they sign Frank the lineup would be like this:


Damon
Jeter
A-Rod
Giambi
Sheffield
Matsui
The guy replacing Thomas while he's on the DL most of the year
Posada
Cano

Brilliant

[NewEraYanks2527]

Two things the Yankees should achieve in their next acquisition: versatility and durability, Thomas is neither.

[nnysiny]

from the moment Damon was signed i thought to myself "if anything, a DH could be added" and i immediately thought of Frank Thomas. of course hes been injured the past 2 years (still put up OPS+ of 151 and 131) but not offering an incentive-laden contract would be crazy. and if hes injured, enter Bernie. here is my lineup:

Damon-L
Jeter-R
Giambi-L
Arod-R
Sheff-R
Matsui-L
Thomas-R
Posada-S
Cano-L

[Babe Rules]

Yeah, I'd prefer an OF who's better than Sheff.

Exactly. If we are to make another move, it should be for an OF that could allow us to make Sheff a full time DH.

[C-BUS CLIPPER]

Thomas? NO THANKS.

[CTyankeefan]

Yanks need the DH spot unfilled. That way, Bernie, Giambi and SHeff will fill it and allow other to get in the game.

Sheff broke down at the end of the year. He won't do that as a DH. Giambi isn't a 150 game 1bman. Bernie needs more than 100 abs this year.

If you guys think Bernie is only going to play sparingly, you guys are smoking something. Bernie/Giambi will be the DH tandem with a whole lot of Sheff there this year.

[Evil Empire]

Yanks need the DH spot unfilled. That way, Bernie, Giambi and SHeff will fill it and allow other to get in the game.

Sheff broke down at the end of the year. He won't do that as a DH. Giambi isn't a 150 game 1bman. Bernie needs more than 100 abs this year.

If you guys think Bernie is only going to play sparingly, you guys are smoking something. Bernie/Giambi will be the DH tandem with a whole lot of Sheff there this year.

We all know Torre will play Bernie. Most of us just don't want it.

[Evil Empire]

Exactly. If we are to make another move, it should be for an OF that could allow us to make Sheff a full time DH.

Precisley. Defense with a decent bat is all I'd ask. Is Juan Encarnacion a FA?

[Blaze]

Unless something big happens I really think Bernie will probably DH most of the time. I think it's Bernie's job to lose. If Bernie hits .270 and hits 20 homers that will be good enough.

[the_coach]

Frank Thomas?!!!! OMG..Can this off seaon get any worse?

[Spiker101]

If they sign Frank the lineup would be like this:


Damon
Jeter
A-Rod
Giambi
Sheffield
Matsui
The guy replacing Thomas while he's on the DL most of the year
Posada
Cano

[Evil Empire]

Does Frank the tank refer to Frank Thomas by chance?

[yanksphan]

Precisley. Defense with a decent bat is all I'd ask. Is Juan Encarnacion a FA?

He is a FA. I think he'd be a great option for RF.

Damon
Jeter
ARod
Sheff
Matsui
Giambi
Encarnacion
Posada
Cano

[Evil Empire]

He is a FA. I think he'd be a great option for RF.

Damon
Jeter
ARod
Sheff
Matsui
Giambi
Encarnacion
Posada
Cano

How's his defense though?

[yanksphan]

How's his defense though?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/e/encarju01.shtml

Well above the league avg in FP, RFg and RF9 throughout his career.

Besides...we're talking about upgrading from Sheff.