Ex-Tiger Thames of interest to Jays, Tribe

Sources told FOXSports.com that the Indians and Blue Jays are looking at free agent Marcus Thames. Thames, who was released by the Tigers after six seasons in Detroit, would likely sign cheap if it meant getting a chance to play regularly. The soon-to-be 33-year-old has a career 797 OPS in 1,549 at-bats and he’s an adequate defensive left fielder, so he probably wouldn’t be a brutal starter. However, he has been considerably better versus lefties (.256/.329/.516) than against righties (.234/.292/.474). It’s a big reason why his career high for at-bats is 348. As a result, he makes more sense as a platoon player and fallback than as an Opening Day starter. He’d be a great fit in Toronto as protection for the left-handed-hitting Travis Snider. The Indians might be better off with a left-handed hitter as their Matt LaPorta insurance.