5
2011
Phillies Are On The Move… Sign Jim Thome, Closing In On Michael Cuddyer
An article by Hojo's Mojo
. 
Late Friday night, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, reported that the Phillies have agreed to sign Jim Thome to a one-year contract. Thome will receive an estimated $1.25 million, according to Phillies beat writer Jim Salisbury. The deal becomes official once Thome completes his physical on Saturday.
Thome, who hit .250 with 15 home runs and 50 RBI in 93 games last season, is getting up there in age, but is still a dangerous hitter from the left side of the plate. With Ryan Howard in jeopardy of missing the first few weeks of the season, this was a solid move for Ruben Amaro Jr. who always seems to move fast once the off season begins. Once Howard comes back, Thome will be a formidable weapon off the bench. Thome is also well loved by Phillies fans so this is something that will have them stoked to start the Hot Stove Season.
As if that wasn’t enough, it now appears that the Phillies are close to landing outfielder Michael Cuddyer, formerly of the Twins, according to Jim Salisbury.
Last season, Cuddyer batted .284 and posted a .854 OPS in 584 at-bats while slugging 20 home runs and driving in 70 runs. Cuddyer is as versatile as they come and can play the outfield as well as first, and third base. He also happens to be very close with Jim Thome after spending time together with the Twins.
Cuddyer, 32, is especially dangerous against lefties who he batted .311/.403/.589 against in 2011.
The NL East Champs are wasting no time…
About the Author: Rob Johnson
9 Comments + Add Comment
NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 30 | .583 | - |
| Phillies | 35 | 37 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Nationals | 34 | 36 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Mets | 27 | 40 | .403 | 12.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 48 | .314 | 19.0 |
Last updated: 06/19/2013
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oh my god, the aging phillies signed a 41 year old DH. That will make them more versatile. And get in line for Cuddyer, there a re a lot of teams who want him, who do the phillies have left as trade bait?
Oh I can’t wait for the cries from Jessup about signing a 40 Year old player!
To me, this says that the Phillies have no faith that Howard will be back anytime in the early part of the season. So they get Thome, who, while decent, is not putting this team over the top. And they are focusing on Cuddyer, who, while decent, isn’t a star. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love if the Mets had the flexibility to pick up Cuddyer, but I’m not shaking in my boots should they sign him.
Thome to replace Howard? Interesting.
Interesting because since 2005, he has played 5 games in the filed, and has not played a game at 1B since 2007. He had 1 appearance from 2008-2011 in the field (at 3B, that must have been interesting too!) without touching the ball.
Scratch the Phillies from the Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols race. I suspect Jim Thome wants to end his career with the Phillies, a team he loves and how can they go wrong at 1.25 million. He’s a class guy and I wish him well unless he’s playing the Mets. I just can’t see this guy hitting Mike Pelfrey, at least no more than two home runs a game.
he isn’t replacing Howard. Maybe Ross Gload or someone like that. A LH bat off the bench.
Oh, have to point out that this is a mets site. If you are going to gush all over the Phillies then you don’t belong here. Leave and go to Beerleaguer.com. they will be happy to have you.
Hey, just saving Alex the trouble of having to type this out!
Is he really wrong?
Joe Diaz is on nrecord that he won’t set foot in Citifield yet will go see them play the Phillies in CBP where all the money goes to the Phillies!
There’s a difference between guys like the Slippery Eel and t agee gushing all over the braves and A’s almost every day, or in t agee’s case whoever is doing the best at the current time and that’s the model the Mets should follow…and Hojo writing a post yesterday about how the Phillies waste no time in trying to maintain their winning position.
Hojo is not doing it every single day.
And the Phillies AND Yankees have both wasted no time in getting the ball rolling. Sandy I guess is going to bide his time, play it close to the vest, scrummage through all the clearance bins and use big words.
If you want to win LET’S GO!!!!! LET’S MOVE IT ALREADY AND START MAKING SOME MOVES!!