Dodgers get slugger Thome, pitcher Garland

[Chip Douglass]

Per FSN West ticker.

Woah.

[ryanm1058123]

re: Dodgers get slugger Thome, pitcher Garland

Doesn't make much sense unless he's gonna start over Loney, which if he can still play the field wouldn't be that bad of an idea. I think the Dodgers are eating all of that salary too.

Garland to the Dodgers too.

[Chip Douglass]

re: Dodgers get slugger Thome, pitcher Garland

http://www.realgmbaseball.com/src_wiretap_archives/16503/20090901/thome_garland_dealt_to_dodgers/

And Garland's in the Arizona dugout. Kinda funny watching him being informed of the trade and going back to the clubhouse to change uniforms. He seemed pretty confused.

[42]

Re: Dodgers get slugger Thome, pitcher Garland

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- Courtesy of ESPN

[The Chef]

Re: Dodgers get slugger Thome, pitcher Garland

Pointless trade as far as Thome is considered, he flat out told Coletti that he cant play the field anymore so hes going to be a pinch hitter and nothing more. As it pertains to some logic that they were blocking the Giants, thats idiotic as well, let the Giants have a power hitter who cant hit for average. I know Coletti said he sees Thome serving the same role that Matt Stairs serves in Philly but atleast Stairs can play the field if necessary, Thome cant so it still isnt the same situation. Ohh well, I guess the Dodgers felt the pressure and had to do something.

[SPTO]

Re: Dodgers get slugger Thome, pitcher Garland

http://www.realgmbaseball.com/src_wi...lt_to_dodgers/

And Garland's in the Arizona dugout. Kinda funny watching him being informed of the trade and going back to the clubhouse to change uniforms. He seemed pretty confused.

This happened with Tony Batista in 2001 when he was claimed off waivers by the Jays. He was informed during the game and since both teams were playing against each other just changed dugouts!

Anywho, I really like the Thome move providing he can still field, if not then it's going to be a big waste. If he can play the field then he'll be an upgrade power wise.

[kujoking7]

Re: Dodgers get slugger Thome, pitcher Garland

I think these are 50-50 acquisitions...here are my thoughts:

1. I think the Dodgers still remember Matt Stairs' homer last year in the NLCS, yes that ball is still going...
2. Maybe they want a power guy off the bench to give that pop for a key homer late in the playoff season.
3. Maybe if Loney gets hurt, or at least on the Sunday games (which starters are usually benched), they won't downgrade on offense, but defense.
4. THEY DON'T NEED TO START MARK LORETTA!!!!!!
5. #4 is amazing

Now for garland...

1. They probably needed a solid #5 in the rotation, with Kuroda getting hit in the head and Haegar's knuckler producting less than they want.
2. Garland is on a pretty nice couple of starts this month, going 3-1 with an ERA under 3
3. They wanted to piss of the D-Backs

Now I think the Garland acquisition was good, but the Thome one was really unnecessary because now they're stuck with his contract

[steelcurtain311]

Re: Dodgers get slugger Thome, pitcher Garland

I don't understand why you trade for a guy who only has value in the DH spot. You're going to bring him in just to be a pinch hitter? Why?

[oakfan162]

Re: Dodgers get slugger Thome, pitcher Garland

Money quote:

“I just want to be honest with you. I'd love to come. I want to help you guys any way I can. But playing first base is not something I'm going to be able to do — maybe in an emergency situation, perhaps."

Thome to Colletti.

[skitch]

Re: Dodgers get slugger Thome, pitcher Garland

LOL - That quote's hilarious.

Late-game offense is all Thome will be used for, and perhaps the occasional spell of Loney. It's not like he's a huge offensive force anymore, anyway, but he's definitely a big upgrade on their bench.

[JBH3]

Re: Dodgers get slugger Thome, pitcher Garland

Copying the Phillies blueprint I see LA.

Matt Stairs/Jim Thome

Joe Blanton/Jon Garland

Albeit the difference is between a better arm for Philly, and a better bat for LA.

You're still going to lose, but at least you're trying!

[Marino]

Re: Dodgers get slugger Thome, pitcher Garland

I like the moves.

[Dice]

Re: Dodgers get slugger Thome, pitcher Garland

As a White Sox fan, part of me will miss him and the other part will not.

I'll miss him because of the class he displayed as a ball player for the White Sox organization. Even though the White Sox failed to bring a championship while he was there he stayed loyal and I like him for that. From my understanding, Thome cried last night when he found out he was traded.

Now there is a part that won't miss him because that's just baseball. He's a DH on a team who needs defense in a bad way. So him being here as a player wouldn't have made sense for next year. And trading him now is better than letting him go(which the White Sox would have done anyway) for nothing. Plus, having a guy who strikes out 100+ times a year for an undisciplined batting team is also a bad mix. Yeah, he'll get you 30+ HR but so can other guys on the squad.

I'm glad he'll get another shot at a contender and I'll be rooting for him. Also, kudos to Kenny Williams for making the deal. As a GM, you need to put personal feelings aside and I'm pretty sure Williams had a rough time doing it to Thome.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Dodgers get slugger Thome, pitcher Garland

And so my fondness of the Dodgers dies...