Frank Thomas was let go by the Jays Sunday. I've had my eye on his career since its inception. When he started I was somewhat into looking for good rookie card investments 
and Frank got out of the gate pretty quick with a great deal of potential. Him and I (and Bagwell, too) were born on the exact same day and I thought that was cool, too. Not to mention that I got first overall pick in my 1993 baseball draft and took him with the pick (he did win the MVP--I had a great offense but B-grade SP's and a mediocre bullpen).
I have mixed feelings about the move. Frank is a notoriously slow starter and while we've got people like Ryan Howard hitting under .200 so far it appears as if the Jays were really not patient enough with Frank. April is not even finished.
Clearly there is more to the story then we are hearing. Even here in T.O. there is some talk that something more was going on but no clear revelations. Obviously it has something to do with the rather unclassy way that Thomas reacted to his benching on Saturday; he threw a bit of a tantrum, did not shake hands with his teammates after the victory, avoided the press after the game before eventually stating that the Jays were trying to cut down his AB's to save on a $10-million dollar option for '09 (380-odd AB's and it would kick-in).
I heard several comments from fellow Jays and their opinions were mixed. Sounds like Frank maybe didn't have the best attitude and wasn't so much of a team player in his later years as he was/is a me-guy. They still realize that Frank is a producer and will likely end up elsewhere putting up some decent numbers.
On that note, yes, he probably does get picked up. Especially as the Jays didn't exactly make the best business decision with this move, having to pick up the remainder of his '08 salary (might get some covered if picked up or otherwise get some compensation--not sure if that's just wishful thinking but I've seen other cases where that happens). Not a great-sounding business move but if he was a distraction then winning may start to pick up and make the move look better.
They are 2-0 so far without him. Beating the mighty (?!) Tigers too.
Jays need sticks.
I'm hoping that they give Lyle Overpaid a shot batting fourth, at least against righties (Matt Stairs is a 6-hitter at best).
Against lefties the Jays should survive...eventually (not doing so yet).
Just some thoughts on this iffy (for Toronto) situation.
===============================
As for my success or failure, I actually haven't had my ass kicked for 5 straight days now so I'm pretty happy. Sunday was a great day, too, despite Gagne costing me quite a bit there. I still might not be around much until about May--really just starting to make sense of what's been going on and how to maybe take advantage.
Monday isn't a great board but here's some thoughts:
--hot Marlins look worth a shot against cold Pirates. Hendrickson is no stud but that's why the fair price. Morris has been in decline for several years now and has been crap this season.
--Cubs still no Soriano and I'm kind of miffed about going against both Maine AND the Mets, but Carlos was my pre-season pick for NL Cy and the Cubs are certainly hot. Can't resist this one. Would play it under at Shea.
--hapless Dodgers might actually bag a win with Penny tossing. Belisle is nothing special and will be on a short leash, just coming off the DL and all.
--Braves, runline maybe, I liked until hearing about Chipper. Braves should certainly still take this match, and might clobber, but without this key stick I don't think I like the price.
--Astros aren't real winners this season, so far, but Oswalt finally chucked a good game in his last--his 4th start--and his numbers at home last season were incredible. Helps that the Padres hit crappily, despite a productive game vs Oswalt already in '08. Germano has started quite well but he lost his only start vs 'Stros and, interestingly, the Padres have dropped all 3 of his starts, despite the sub-2.00 era. Not cheap but Oswalt at home in this situation never should be--his solid spring has me thinking that his first 3 starts were maybe an abberation.
--sample size of Galarraga's work is too small to judge. Marcum is looking like the #3 guy for the Jays as I predicted (i.e. better than McGowan or Litsch). Would consider the under 9.5, here, with an ump other than Johnson going.
===============================
...just for overkill...
I love playoffs and should keep posting there. NHL has been solid for me and even weaseling out some NBA money, so far.
NHL looks like a day off for me.
Bruins momentum is elimated by Habs home-ice.
Slight edge Habs but line shows value only--IMO--for the B's.
Under 5 is a possibility and, man, is it ever cheaper than for game #5 (+100 now, -150 then). B's have figured out Price?:shrug:
Caps-Phil I really haven't watched. Caps have shown, late this season, that they can win games when their backs are against the wall, but Philly has played them tough this series. Tempted by the +130 for the visitor but will likely spectate. I'm totally oblivious to this total.
Had the Jazz in game #1.
How can I pass on them again, after seeing most of that first matchup?
Rockets scoring won't keep up.
Jazz the more complete team.
Not too sure about the Cavs game.
Lean Cavs, or make that lean LeBron.
word
and Frank got out of the gate pretty quick with a great deal of potential. Him and I (and Bagwell, too) were born on the exact same day and I thought that was cool, too. Not to mention that I got first overall pick in my 1993 baseball draft and took him with the pick (he did win the MVP--I had a great offense but B-grade SP's and a mediocre bullpen).I have mixed feelings about the move. Frank is a notoriously slow starter and while we've got people like Ryan Howard hitting under .200 so far it appears as if the Jays were really not patient enough with Frank. April is not even finished.
Clearly there is more to the story then we are hearing. Even here in T.O. there is some talk that something more was going on but no clear revelations. Obviously it has something to do with the rather unclassy way that Thomas reacted to his benching on Saturday; he threw a bit of a tantrum, did not shake hands with his teammates after the victory, avoided the press after the game before eventually stating that the Jays were trying to cut down his AB's to save on a $10-million dollar option for '09 (380-odd AB's and it would kick-in).
I heard several comments from fellow Jays and their opinions were mixed. Sounds like Frank maybe didn't have the best attitude and wasn't so much of a team player in his later years as he was/is a me-guy. They still realize that Frank is a producer and will likely end up elsewhere putting up some decent numbers.
On that note, yes, he probably does get picked up. Especially as the Jays didn't exactly make the best business decision with this move, having to pick up the remainder of his '08 salary (might get some covered if picked up or otherwise get some compensation--not sure if that's just wishful thinking but I've seen other cases where that happens). Not a great-sounding business move but if he was a distraction then winning may start to pick up and make the move look better.
They are 2-0 so far without him. Beating the mighty (?!) Tigers too.
Jays need sticks.
I'm hoping that they give Lyle Overpaid a shot batting fourth, at least against righties (Matt Stairs is a 6-hitter at best).
Against lefties the Jays should survive...eventually (not doing so yet).
Just some thoughts on this iffy (for Toronto) situation.
===============================
As for my success or failure, I actually haven't had my ass kicked for 5 straight days now so I'm pretty happy. Sunday was a great day, too, despite Gagne costing me quite a bit there. I still might not be around much until about May--really just starting to make sense of what's been going on and how to maybe take advantage.
Monday isn't a great board but here's some thoughts:
--hot Marlins look worth a shot against cold Pirates. Hendrickson is no stud but that's why the fair price. Morris has been in decline for several years now and has been crap this season.
--Cubs still no Soriano and I'm kind of miffed about going against both Maine AND the Mets, but Carlos was my pre-season pick for NL Cy and the Cubs are certainly hot. Can't resist this one. Would play it under at Shea.
--hapless Dodgers might actually bag a win with Penny tossing. Belisle is nothing special and will be on a short leash, just coming off the DL and all.
--Braves, runline maybe, I liked until hearing about Chipper. Braves should certainly still take this match, and might clobber, but without this key stick I don't think I like the price.
--Astros aren't real winners this season, so far, but Oswalt finally chucked a good game in his last--his 4th start--and his numbers at home last season were incredible. Helps that the Padres hit crappily, despite a productive game vs Oswalt already in '08. Germano has started quite well but he lost his only start vs 'Stros and, interestingly, the Padres have dropped all 3 of his starts, despite the sub-2.00 era. Not cheap but Oswalt at home in this situation never should be--his solid spring has me thinking that his first 3 starts were maybe an abberation.
--sample size of Galarraga's work is too small to judge. Marcum is looking like the #3 guy for the Jays as I predicted (i.e. better than McGowan or Litsch). Would consider the under 9.5, here, with an ump other than Johnson going.
===============================
...just for overkill...
I love playoffs and should keep posting there. NHL has been solid for me and even weaseling out some NBA money, so far.
NHL looks like a day off for me.
Bruins momentum is elimated by Habs home-ice.
Slight edge Habs but line shows value only--IMO--for the B's.
Under 5 is a possibility and, man, is it ever cheaper than for game #5 (+100 now, -150 then). B's have figured out Price?:shrug:
Caps-Phil I really haven't watched. Caps have shown, late this season, that they can win games when their backs are against the wall, but Philly has played them tough this series. Tempted by the +130 for the visitor but will likely spectate. I'm totally oblivious to this total.
Had the Jazz in game #1.
How can I pass on them again, after seeing most of that first matchup?
Rockets scoring won't keep up.
Jazz the more complete team.
Not too sure about the Cavs game.
Lean Cavs, or make that lean LeBron.
word
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