Jim Thome Dealt To Los Angeles Dodgers

Sports Betting News - September 2nd, 2009 - Written by John

Jim Thome's fantasy value took a huge hit but the Los Angeles Dodgers' actual stock went up a couple levels. Late Monday night, the Chicago White Sox packaged the aging slugger to the NL West leading Dodgers, in return for Minor Leaguer Justin Fuller. The Dodgers needed to make the deal before midnight last night in order for Thome to be eligible for the postseason with the new team. It will be a reunion of sorts for Thome and outfielder Manny Ramirez, who said he would like to return to Cleveland with Thome to finish their careers there. The pair came into the league together as rookies for the Tribe and were the headliners for the club throughout the 90s.

“He’s one of the best guys I ever played with in my entire career,” Ramirez told the AP. “He’s a great guy in the clubhouse. I’m happy to see him. He’s one of the best hitters, too. I’m just glad he’s on my team.”

As of Tuesday, BetUS.com listed the payout for Los Angeles to win the crown at +700, fifth among MLB teams. The Dodgers are listed just behind the Cardinals (+650) and the Phillies (+500) for the favorites in the NL after struggling to stay atop the NL West over the surging San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies. Not to mention St. Louis and Philadelphia brilliantly maneuvered through the trading deadline, giving up adequate, but not back-breaking talent in return for immediate impact players. The Phillies landed last year's Cy Young winner Cliff Lee in a deal, which didn't force them to give up any of their blue chip prospects, while the Cardinals acquired Matt Holliday from the Oakland Athletics for essentially minor league third baseman Brett Wallace, then turned around and scooped up John Smoltz off waivers. Lee started 5-0 with the Phillies before being roughed up in his last start. Holliday his hitting .367 since joining the team with eight homers in 34 games and Smoltz is 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA in two starts with the team.

Thome hasn't played first base regularly in quite a while and without a DH spot, the Dodgers will more than likely force Thome to spot starts, spelling James Loney or coming off the bench. In other words, if he's on your fantasy team, dump him. But for the Dodgers, it was desperately needed move to answer its National League counterparts. Thome is 12th on the all-time home run list with 564 and could certainly provide a spark late in the game. The Dodgers also struck a deal to pick up pitcher Jon Garland from the Diamondbacks for a player to be named, hoping to use him to shore up the back of their rotation.

To discuss this and other Sports Betting stories like it, be sure to check out our new forum at:
https://www.usaplayers.com/forums/mlb-news/887-dodgers-acquire-pinch-hitter.html#post1530