Many people in Minnesota have been assuming that Jim Thome re-signing with the Twins was only a matter of time, but LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that Thome wants to “make up for what he didn’t earn last season.”
It’s tough to blame Thome, because he was certainly worth far more than the $2 million or so the Twins paid him in 2010. On the other hand there aren’t many openings for pure designated hitters and he hasn’t really been linked publicly to other teams.
Bringing back Thome would be great for the Twins if the price is reasonable, but it’s also worth remembering that he wasn’t a regular until Justin Morneau’s concussion in early July, starting just 34 of the first 84 games. Thome and a healthy Morneau along with Jason Kubel, Michael Cuddyer, and Delmon Young would give the Twins five players for four lineup spots, and it’s hard to imagine Ron Gardenhire benching Cuddyer versus right-handed pitchers no matter how much sense it would make.