Time For Thames To Take Off?
By Blake VandeBunte • Dec 4th, 2008 • Category: Marcus ThamesI tried to fit cram the letter “t” in that title as often as possible, what do you think?
Marcus Thames has been with the Tigers now since 2004. He has hit some absolutely towering home runs. Remember last year when the Tigers were struggling against Tim Lincecum and the Giants and Thames took the eventual Cy Young winner deep twice to help the Tigers win that game? He’s a game changer, there is no doubt about that. No doubt.
However, given his game-changing ability, why is Thames still searching for work? He has yet to elevate to an every day player with the Tigers. The most at bats he’s gotten in a season were back in 2006 when he collected 348. To be considered an every day player you need to rack up at least 500 AB’s and Thames has yet to sniff that mark. Why is that exactly?
Despite his massive muscles and moonshot homers, Thames has some major offensive deficiencies. Last year he posted an on base percentage of .292. An OBP that low is clearly bad news, but exactly how bad is it? Of all players with at least 300 plate appearances in 2008, only 11 players had an OBP lower than Thames’ mark, hmm. It’s really hard to hold down an every day job when you cannot get yourself on base, I think that goes without saying.
Thames’ love for striking out and hatred for taking a walk is part of what makes him a fringe player. When he’s off his game, it’s nearly impossible to put him in a ball game. For example, last season he went through a rough patch from July 11th to September 4th. Here’s the damage:
- 29 Games, 100 AB, 15 H, 5 HR, 40 K, 4 BB, .150 AVG
During this neat-and-tidy 100 at bat stretch, he still manage to hit five balls out of the park, not bad. However, he walked only 4 times and struck out 40% of the time. It’s amazing Jim Leyland even found 100 at bats for the guy, he was really struggling. That is Thames at his absolute worst and it doesn’t even take into account his defensive inadequacies.
As bad as Thames can be when he is cold, he makes you forget it all when he gets on a hot streak. Thames went through a memorable period last season from April 30th to July 17th. Check out this damage:
- 51 games, 155 AB, 45 H, 17 HR, 48 K, 15 BB, .290 AVG
Sure, he still didn’t walk a ton and he still struck out a lot, but he was crushing the ball and getting himself on base with some base hits. This is what makes Thames such an interesting player. When he is on, I really do believe he is one of the best power hitters in all of baseball. If he is seeing the ball well, he’s basically like Ryan Howard at the plate.
So, what do the Tigers do with Thames now? They still have an aging Gary Sheffield to give at bats so that he doesn’t go crazy and kill everyone. They still have Magglio Ordonez who is too good of a hitter to sit on the bench. They have Curtis Granderson in center who isn’t going anywhere. They also have young outfielders Clete Thomas, Matt Joyce and Wilkin Ramirez. Where exactly in Thames going to play?
Here’s my idea: The Tigers need to test the trade market for everyone of those guys (except Granderson) at the Winter Meetings next week. If they can trade Sheffield for a bag of batting practice balls they should take it and thank their lucky stars. That’s not realistic though, Sheff is staying. That leaves Magglio, the youngsters and Thames as trade fodder. The club still has glaring holes at SS, C, and in their pitching staff. If they can flip one of their extra outfielders and fill one or more of those gaps it is something they should look into.
I think Thames is the most likely player to go. Guys like Joyce, Ramirez, and Thomas are super cheap players and will be for the next few years. A guy like Magglio is tough guy to trade given that he keeps fans in the seats and is a bit of a fan favorite. That leaves the Tigers with Thames to offer. I really believe that Thames is a good player for a lower to mid market club that is looking for some thump in their lineup. A team like the Pirates need some power and might be willing to ignore the warts on his game because he would come pretty cheaply and would hit some homers for them. Thames for Jack Wilson? Thames to Florida for Matt Treanor and spare parts? Thames to the Reds for Jeff Keppinger?
The point here is, I think that Thames has some serious trade value and the Tigers should seriously consider moving him. I would be sad. I think I would be sadder to see Thames go than Magglio. I’ve always had a soft spot for Marcus and it would be tough to see him go elsewhere.
Things should heat up next week at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas.
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Blake VandeBunte is a posting fiend.
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Yeah, I’ve been thinking all off season that Thames will be gone. I’m such a sucker, and get attached to folks, but I think it’d be best for all.
Thames as part of a deal with Seattle was my first idea this postseason. If Ibanez leaves, he fits like a glove there. Actually, he fits in as DH for the Mariners regardless. Dusting off my old idea, it was Thames, Raburn, and Rodney to the Mariners for Putz, hot prospect Carlos Triunfel, and Thames-like AAAA guy Victor Diaz.
No way that package of players gets them Putz and Triunfel. Triunfel is a stud and there’s no way they get rid of him. Although, it would be sweet if they would deal him to the Tigers