Thames (back) To Yankees
By Blake VandeBunte • Feb 8th, 2010 • Category: Marcus Thames, New York YankeesMarcus Thames is gone. It was one hell of a ride. Word has it that the former Tigers slugger has signed a one-year deal with the Yankees and will likely form a leftfield platoon with Randy Winn.
The Tigers picked up Thames back in December of 2003 as a free agent. For his first few years, it was tough for Thames to grab any at-bats in Detroit. He was blocked by Dmitri Young at the DH/1B position and was less than stellar enough to play defense in the outfield. Young was eventually released and Thames got a lot more playing time.
Marcus’ best season in Detroit was back 2006 when every Tiger had a career year. He got into a career-high 110 games and responded with a career best 26 homers.
Thames is noted for his big time home runs and for his feast or famine success at the dish. When Thames was hot, he seriously resembled Barry Bonds. He would CRUSH everything. When he was off, though, he looked like the 2007 version of Craig Monroe. Thames would strike out far too often and didn’t walk enough to hold much value. As his salary grew through arbitration it became harder to keep him in Detroit.
So, now Thames is heading back to the Yankees, the team that drafted him back in 1996. I wish him the best and he automatically becomes my favorite Yankee (nothing against Curtis Granderson). Thames is one of my all-time favorites but I think letting him go was the right move. I’ll still miss him.
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He sure is country strong.
I won’t miss him at all. He was hot usually in non close games and took up space from developing players like Ryan Raburn and Clete Thomas(all you need is to shorten that swing.) The point that is thoroughly missed is that space occupied by non clutch players when it’s needed is wasted with a huge cost that is rarely calculated. Even Carlos Guillen who is an excellent clutch hitter, when he’s healthy, takes up space when he’s not 100%.
I agree Stephen. That’s why I think it was wise to let Thames walk. I don’t think the Tigers have any top prospects waiting in the wings, but guys like Thomas and Raburn are at least as good as Thames and cost a fraction of the price. They are both much better in the field as well.
My prospects in order of probabilities of making the Tigers are: Ryan Strieby(by far the best if his wrist is healed), Casper Wells(outside chance of beating out Austin Jackson if given the chance-I’m rooting for this), Brennan Boesch, Deik Scram, and Andy Dirks. I’m not impressed with Wilken Ramirez yet. Billy Nowlin should be given a chance at Erie to see if he can continue his hitting. Ryan Strieby is the DH of the future if Carlos Guillen goes DL. I want Guillen 100% or Strieby should be given a chance. Clete Thomas will eventually shorten his swing and replace Ordonez who isn’t worth the money.