John Thomson?

Question

good or bad acquisition for the Jays?

Answer 1

The Blue Jays added an arm to the mix on Tuesday. Its not Ted Lilly or Gil Meche, whom the Jays went strongly after. They signed RHP John Thomson to a 1 year contract worth $500,000 with incentives.

Good deal or bad deal?

This is a great deal by the Blue Jays. How much better could have Ted Lilly or Gil Meche been if they were brought into Toronto at a combined price of $95 million? They would have been both a very high risk, considering their medicore career numbers and the amount and length of their contract. Overall the Jays saved $39.5 million on Thomson, rather than re-signing Lilly.

The question is whether John Thomson is a good pitcher? Well last season he suffered an injury which limited him only to 18 games and had an impact on his perfermence; however is healthy entering 2007.

J.P. Ricciardi said it perfectly in an interview regarding the signing: "It's pretty much low-risk, high reward for both of us. We're just trying to take a chance. We think it's a good fit for both people." (sportsnet)

He couldn't have worded it any better. Look at Thomsons stats for 2003 and 2004. In 2003, pitching with the Texas Rangers, he went 13-14, posting a 4.85 ERA, making 35 starts and logging 217 innings, while having a 136/49 strikeout/walk ratio. The following year with Atlanta, Thomson went 14-8, alongside with a 3.72 ERA in 33 starts, logging 198.1 innings and having a 133/52 strikeout/walk ratio. Those numbers look like a decent mid-rotation starter to me.

Has Lilly ever reached those types of numbers? Well Lilly reached 15 wins last season which beat Thomson's 14, though has never pitched more than 200 innings and never posted an ERA below 4, and has never made more than 32 starts, in one season. Thomson has reached those numbers. The same case can be made for Meche as well. Lilly and Meche are getting paid that much for being at best 4th starters in their career? Sadly its true and its good the Jays missed the boat on both of them.

If Thomson regains his 2003/2004 form, the Jays would be more than happy at a price of half a million. Compared to what starters are getting, the Thomson signing was a good deal.

Could have the Jays got someone better? Possibly, but are you willing to trade Alex Rios to get perhaps lesser talent in return? Plus how much better would have Armas, Weaver and Ohka have been? Also consider the money they would demand.

Overall, the Thompson signing is a good deal for the Jays. Theres a high reward involved on both sides. If Thomson repeats his 03/04 season with the Jays this year, they have found the starter they need at a low price. If Thomson does not pan out well, don't sweat over it. Its not a Gil Meche or Ted Lilly contract.

With a healthy 2007, I believe Thomson will be a solid addition to the Blue Jays, helping them put together a solid starting rotation.

Answer 2

This is a pretty danged good deal for the Jays. Basically, what they have done is fill the void that was left when Ted Lilly was signed away. Their stats career stats are pretty similar; although Lilly was much more reliable in terms of making starts and eating up innings, Thomson showed that when healthy, he can be a solid number 3 and has even shown brief flashes of being a low-end number 2 starter in a rotation. On the whole, though, the quality looks pretty much the same, but Thomson comes with a much lower pricetag.

Answer 3

For the relative bargain price it was worth a shot I'd say. My team, the Twins, signed Sidney Ponson for God's sake. I would have much rather rolled the dice w/ Thomson.

Answer 4

at $500,00 it doesn't matter. If he pans out and can re-capture close to the magic of the 2003 season it will be a total steal. Anything less, well, 1/2 mil for an experienced arm to compete with Towers and the kids during spring training no harm done.

Answer 5

It's ok. He signed a one-year incentive loaded deal for 500,000 dollars. This means if he does good, he gets paid more.....if he doesn't he doesn't get paid as much. They needed another starter, and Thomson is possibly the answer...if not at least they didn't overspend.

Answer 6

Good... 500,000 is nearly the league minimum. A worth while risk; if he's 100% he would be a nice back end to their rotation.

Answer 7

Bad. I'm a braves fan. (BIG BRAVES FAN) and I'm so glad to see him go. I will say that he does show signs of brilliance right after he gets shelled for 5 outings in a row.

Answer 8

Bad. It wont do any good because he will be a starter only if there is an injury so he will most likely pitch in long relief.

Answer 9

I think it was a good trade for both sides, Thompson is streaky, but the Jays needed starters, and the Braves needed relievers

Answer 10

its a great deal. im an atlanta fan and am sad to see him go. when hes healthy he is a very reliable player.