The Thome Pipe Dream
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The Thome Pipe Dream
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
The first thing you need to understand is that the Major League Baseball commissioner's office wields a significant amount of behind-the-scenes power when it comes to the machinations of its 30 member clubs. Some clubs heed the office's wishes more than others, but there are plenty of ways in which Bud Selig can apply diplomatic pressure to team Presidents, from the scheduling of regular season games to the awarding of All-Star Games to the approving of trades that involve money changing hands.
The second thing you need to understand is that any attempt by Jim Thome and the Phillies to circumvent baseball's convoluted waiver process will be universally protested by the rest of the teams in the majors. And for good reason. The waiver process exists as it does for plenty of reasons, particularly to avoid late-season roster moves that could unfairly tip the balance of power in a postseason race.
Thome landing with the Phillies would not necessarily result in such a power shift. He would be used as a pinch-hitter and, if it gets to that point, a designated hitter in the World Series. Now, the Phillies would love to have him, and anybody who watched Thome's post-600-home-run praise of Charlie Manuel realizes that the feeling is likely mutual. Aside from the Phillies' need for a left-handed power bat on the bench, there a slew of sentimental factors in play. Thome wants a World Series ring. Thome and Manuel love each other like few player/coach tandems I have ever seen. Thome is often credited with giving the Phillies their first whiff of legitimacy by signing with them the year before Citizens Bank Park opened.
Paul Hagen did a nice job last week of detailing the steps that would have to occur for Thome to land in Philly. According to Fox Sports' tireless Ken Rosenthal, the Twins placed the slugger on trade waivers today. But the Phillies have almost no shot at claiming him, which is what they would need to do in order to work out a deal. They have the last crack at him in the National League, thanks to their best-in-the-majors record. And because Thome is owed about $600,000 for the rest of the season, he is sure to be claimed by a team in front of the Phillies. Even if that team does not need a player like Thome, they can place a claim on him in order to block the Phillies from having a shot at him.
Assuming that happens, the only way for the Phillies to sign Thome would be for the Twins to release him, which would then allow him to sign with the team of his choosing. For that to happen, both the Twins and the Phillies would risk the ire of the rest of the teams in the sport, who have already watched Ruben Amaro Jr. swing trade after trade over the last couple of years.
Can it happen? Sure. Will it? The chance is close to zero.
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Poll: Are you confident in Ryan Madson as a closer?- why? just because it will make phillies fans happy? unless the twins save money on the deal or get something in return, why would they let thome go? to be nice?
— wobblie - Oh my God! Thome back in Philly? That would be prefect. Will it happen? I suppose the chances are slim. But then again, how many of us thought Cliff Lee would be wearing Phils pinstripes again last winter? Nothing's impossible. But the— doug1834
Franciso will be fine? Ha the guy hasn't played in weeks!!!!— jamarder- Twins will release Thome...then Thome can choose any team he wants to play for....He will certainly chose Manuel and the Phillies..simple and legal, and no teams will squak because they want Thome to have a shot at the World Series.— frank105
- When I pass the Target Field on the way to work tomorrow, I will leave a note...— Philly Fan in Kuwait
- why is this an issue. thome can go where he wants. gload can't get it done. get jim dl gload and let's go eat— rysagr
- Rangers,Angels and Cleveland in AL could use him. Arizona and Phillies are only logical in NL. SanFran and Milwaukee do not need him. Chances higher than many would expect that he will end up with the Phillies.
Milwaukee, knowing they are not going anywhere, is trying to give Thome a chance to play for the Phillies and Charlie Manuel in what is probably his final year.
Other contending teams know this and it will be interesting if they put in a claim for him, knowing that Thome really is only interested in Philly.
Respect for a player of Thome's stature may keep other teams from putting in a claim.— candidly - READ MY LIPS:Does anyone doubt that if Ruben wants Thome, Ruben will get Thome? Remember Halladay, Oswalt, Lee, Pence, etc.?— SEEK313
- He has a lock down no trade, if he doesn't want to go to a team he can veto it. The Twins will want to do what's right by him, hence keeping him until he hit those last few home runs. It's pretty much going to be up to him where he plays next.— Badhog
- He has a lock down no trade, if he doesn't want to go to a team he can veto it. The Twins will want to do what's right by him, hence keeping him until he hit those last few home runs. It's pretty much going to be up to him where he plays next.— Badhog
- C'mon. Do you really think ALL (or even a majority of) the other teams in baseball if A) the Phils picked up a pinch-hitter and B)Thome, who is beloved like no other player among his peers, got to end his career the way he wants?
Sure some would. But— VicM 
Comment removed.- "The first thing you need to understand..." Murphy, thanks for the lecture - you are a such a baseball insider.— psu05
- Ha, ha! Exactly my point in my post. What does he know? What background does he have. He's more concerned with changing up his look when he goes on Daily News Live. Last night he had the really short sleeves (that were shorter than his farmer's tan) and dumb looking glasses. He's also the guy who was on vacation or something during trade deadline week. Of all weeks to take off as a Phillies beat writer, that's the week you choose? — tsmagnum73
- now the people on these posts are fashion police? what do you know? he is actuay around the team everyday. you watch them at home on TV. i will take the writer's word over yours everyday. — wobblie
