Report says team shopping Thome

Philadelphia Inquirer | 07/15/2005 | Report says team shopping Thome

Philly should deal him. The question is where.

First, the Phils won't deal him to a division rival so the Braves, mets, Nats and Marlins are not worth considering.

Second, any team that has been rumored to want Mike Sweeney must be considered as Sweeney has a similar contract with less power. Anaheim fits here, and the Angels have a loaded minor league system. Macier Izturis, to fill a utility role in Philly (Sorry Tomas Perez), Jeff Davanon, and a top prospect would be attractive.

Texas wanted Carlos Delgado to sign Carlos Delgado this past winter to DH. Thome could do the same and would cost much less (assuming Philly had to eat half or so of the remaining contract.) AAA C Gerald Laird would head the package.

The Indians would be interesting but Travis Hafner has the DH role all sewn-up unitl arbitration forces the Tribe to look in another direction.

Tampa Bay could fit well. Thome could play 1B/DH, and the Rays have the minor league arms and talent to make something work. Of course, Chuck Lamar is such a joke that he'd ask for Thome, Howard, and Myers and ask the Phillies to pay all his salary and then only offer Mark Hendrickson ans Travis Harper.

Finally, I think the Phils would hesitate to deal him to another NL team, but if they did, then the same ones who would wnat a $300,000 Ryan Howard to play 1B would also fit for a $15,000,000 Thome to play 1B - LA, and Houston.