Where will the Big Hurt land?

So after the release of Frank Thomas by the foolish Blue Jays, one question has been on everyone's minds: "How is Detroit playing so poorly?" No actually, there has been major speculation as to where Frank will play next.

It is a no-brainer that some team will take Thomas. He is one of the best hitters of the last two decades. Last year, he hit only eight home-runs in the first two months with an OPS around 700, but hit eighteen in the months to follow with an OPS around 900. He is a slow starter and will probably mash after he hits 100 at bats this year. The question is who needs him?

Obviously Frank is staying in the AL as a DH, as he will probably not be a pinch hitter extraordinaire and hasnt played the field since manning first base for the White Sox in 2004. That narrows the field down quite a bit. You can also take out any team that has a preestablished designated hitter, so most of your elite teams are out. In my mind, there are four possible destinations for the Big Hurt, and here is how I feel they rank:

4) Kansas City Royals

The Royals haven't looked this competitive in years; you would think a hitter such as Frank Thomas would complete the puzzle and make this team a sure-fire wild card candidate. However, with Billy Butler DHing and Ross Gload and Alex Gordon manning the hot corners, I don't think this team will sacrifice the playing times of their young starters. Probably not an option for Frank.

3) Baltimore Orioles

Honestly, if we were in a video game, this would be a solid option as Kevin Millar's hot streak is bound to end and Frank could step in and mash for the rest of the year. It seems like a match made in heaven, however with Baltimore in full-on rebuild mode, there would be no reason for them to pay for Frank to DH on a losing team. I'm not sure Frank would want take a job knowing he is set up for failure.

2) Texas Rangers

With the Rangers in last place in the West, it is time for some drastic moves. It is a division that can be one with a couple of well-played roster moves and the signing of Frank Thomas could be one of those moves. Currently, Milton Bradley and Frank Catalanotto have been splitting time there when either one is not playing the outfield. Neither are hitting well at all, so taking a risk on Frank Thomas would make just as much sense.

1) Seattle Mariners

Jose Vidro....really? After selling the farm to acquire Erik Bedard, Seattle needs to do something to gain something resembling depth, especially after giving away Adam Jones. (Vidro .208/.278/.319 Jones .242/.294/.355 good deal!) I think this is easily the best option, but I would not be surprised to see him land in Texas either. Guaranteed one of these two options will be his destination.


EDIT Or Oakland, I suppose.

The Rays are giving out more deals than Howie Mandel

So in case you guys haven't heard, the Rays are everyone's sexy sleeper pick to have a huge year. Think the Arizona Diamondbacks with better offense. Well, if you don't want to believe in hype alone, look at their two latest deals.

First off, they claimed Dan Johnson off of waivers from Oakland. Dan is a potentially great hitter who is notoriously fragile. If you take his career averages for the three full years he has played and prorate them over 162 games, then he is a 20 home-run, 80 RBI threat with a .763 OPS. Those are great stats as long as you aren't expecting him to be your stud number 3 or 4 hitter. If he can stay healthy, the Rays just scored a solid DH while Cliff Floyd is injured.

Secondly, they signed Evan Longoria to a monstrous six year deal with three more club option years. The deal is actually very very cheap, but unprecedented as no other player has ever been signed to such a long deal after playing only six games in the majors. ZiPS projections have him as a possible 20 homer guy with a .350 OBP, which would make one of the best 100 players at getting on base...serious value considering the most they would pay him annually will be six million in 2013.

I've picked them to hover around the .500 mark this year(so far their Pythag record is 87-75) but sometime within the next five seasons, we could potentially see the first Devil Ray playoff run.

RIIIIIIIIIIIICH HARDEN!!!!!!!!!

Holy cow! Rich Harden is making a case for the position of PITCHING GOD! After two total annihilations against the Red Sox, everyone NEEDS to pick him up in fantasy formats. If you already have him though, now is a great time to shop him around looking for any kind of value you can get. It is only a matter of time before he slips in the shower or something and breaks his arm. His history of injury is well-documented. In other news, how about that Soto homerun today? Wish I could have seen that coming...OH WAIT! I totally called a good season out of him; that was the first of about twenty. Give it a week or so and I will have a long post gloating about all the things I've been right about in my discussions with David!