If the Marlins were smart, they would sign Jim Thome as the lefty bat off the bench. He is a great leadership, clubhouse candidate. He and Wes Helms would lead this young clubhouse and show them how to be professional. Jim can still play, takes walks, hit 25 homers last season and makes an imposing pinch hitter off the bench in clutch situations, something Wes Helms does not!

Thome would not leave the AL where he can DH

I disagree. He played for the Dodgers. Money talks usually with veterans.....Thome is just the last piece we need as far as real leadership is concerned.

Thome Intends To Play In 2011

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [December 2 at 11:50pm CST]The agent for Jim Thome told Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that his client has no intention of retiring and will play in 2011. Pat Rooney says he's talked to the Twins about Thome, though other teams are "in the mix" for the slugger, who now has 589 career home runs. Thome had a special experience in Minnesota, according to his agent and he's now ready to "see what the market brings."

 

Thome batted .283/.412/.627 with 25 homers for the Twins last year and, not surprisingly, they'd like to bring him back.

 

 

Who are those "other" teams?!

I'm sure he'd rather DH at this point in his career.

Maybe DH is his best option but wouldn't he be a great leader?

 

 

I think the Marlins could find 200 ABs for him.

Maybe DH is his best option but wouldn't he be a great leader?

 

 

I think the Marlins could find 200 ABs for him.

 

Do you really think he's leaving the AL

AT LEAST THERE ARE PLENTY OF LEFTY OPTIONS CURRENTLY ON THE MARKET TO CHOOSE FROM....................My favorites are highlighted

 

 

 

Casey Kotchman (1B)- very cheap, good 2009/ poor 2010 (.282 vs. .217 last year)

 

Mark Kotsay (1B/OF)- Downside of career but patient and upgrade over Lamb/Tracy

 

Jason Giambi (1B)- NO because he is like Paulino

 

Nick Johnson (1B)- always injured

 

Russell Branyan (1B/OF/3B)- Always K's but great power. Marlins have LONG been interested- wouldn't mind this option

 

Willy Aybar (Util)- Up and down career, decent pop

 

Lyle Overbay (1B)- 20 homers last year/ wants starting gig

 

Rick Ankiel (OF)- Horrible 2009- Excellent buy low candidate?!

 

Garret Anderson (OF)- Veteran leadership but doesn't have anything left in tank (didn't he have like 8 errors in 1 game vs. us?)

 

Ryan Church (OF)- Marlins have long been interested in this guy for some reason. Somebody tell me why- he's overrated, career .264 hitter who K'd 50% of ABs in 2009.

 

Melky Cabrera (OF)- Perfect buy low candidate- Marlins have long been interested- Weight issues? Still good off the bench and #4 OF option

 

Johnny Damon (OF)- Excellent leadership abilities but he still wants to start and will want too much $.

 

Jim Edmonds (OF)- Best leader left on the market? Still wants to play and has wnough left in the tank as a great PHer.

 

Ryan Langerhans (OF)- Please NO! Career .228 hitter makes Ryan Church look good

 

Brad Hawpe (OF)- Has proven he can NOT hit anywhere but Coors- NO

 

Corey Patterson (OF)- Another favorite option- Good speed 21 SB in 2009- decent defense as 4th OF- Marlins have always had interest

 

Matt Stairs (PH)- Will take any MLB job offered to him- Is a great leader but has nothing left- K's 33% of time past 2 years. Needs to be a coach

 

Brad Snyder (OF)- Former Cubs prospect would make a great AAA guy- still upside- not ready for majors

 

Scott Podsednik (OF)- Marlins have always had interest but that's before Morrison and Stanton got here- he has zero pop off bench and will take any gig where he has a chance to start and pad his steal stats

 

Delwyn Young (Util)- Not a difference maker

 

Hank Blalock (1B/PH)- Marlins had interest last year. Would love to snag him and give him a shot this year.

 

Eric Chavez (PH)- Former All Star had 111 ABs last year and would make an intriguing option. Too injury prone and lesser than Blalock at this point.

 

Jack Cust (OF/1B)- Takes many walks/great pop but wants starting gig/ will probably stay in AL to DH.

Jim Thome coming off the bench for the Marlins? :lol