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Mailbag: On Scott Thorman
February 27, 2008 – 8:13 amLisa wrote the mailbag and asked:
I just read on mlb.com that Scott Thorman has to fight for his roster spot this year. Who could beat him for the position? I realize Teixeira would start but what about the back up?
There are a couple issues at play here, Lisa. First off, Thorman is out of options - this means that the Braves can’t send him straight to the minors. He would have to clear waivers first, where any team could claim him. But that’s only an issue if he can’t make the team straight out of spring training.
He’s certainly the leading candidate for the position, and the only candidate with big league experience. I think it’s a long-shot that he won’t take the backup role, personally, and I’ll explain why by mentioning some of the other alternatives.
Carlos Mendez - AAA Richmond, 33 years old. Played in 82 games in 2007, batted .278 with 6 HRs and 35 RBIs.
Graham Koonce - AAA Richmond, 32 years old. Played in 58 games in 2007, batted .224 with 10 HRs and 42 RBIs.
Barbaro Canizares - AAA Richmond, 27 years old. Played in 49 games in 2007, batting .344 with 3 HRs and 34 RBIs in 163 at-bats.
As you can see, none of these three guys are blowing pitchers away. You’ve also never heard of them, unless you’re from Richmond or in their extended family. That should tell you something - they’re not the biggest prospects in the Braves organization.
As our staff discussed the options today, we can’t see anyone but Thorman backing up Teixeira this year. There aren’t any better alternatives, Thorman has no options left and we doubt he’d clear waivers. Add in the fact that Thorman has some pretty decent big league experience, and we think he’s the man for the job. His qualifications beat out anyone else soundly.
Unless we want to re-sign the ageless Julio Franco.
Tags: Scott Thorman
Posted in Mailbag |
By lisa bowers on Feb 27, 2008 | Reply
thanks for explaining this more.
i have to admit, i would hate to see thorman go.
By Colin on Feb 27, 2008 | Reply
I hope this helped Lisa. At the Braves site, they mentioned that we should perhaps get rid of Thorman so that he’s not considered as a Teixeira replacement should Tex walk. That said, we feel that if we do have him on our roster, he still shouldn’t be considered a Teixeira replacement.
We feel we really don’t have any great 1B prospects - Thorman is a decent backup but I wouldn’t want him to start given his current stats.
Obviously best case is he continues to develop and becomes a good starting first baseman, with the Braves or elsewhere.
I want Tex on a long-term contract yesterday.
By Jonathan on Feb 27, 2008 | Reply
In my opinion, we’re currently lacking in the 1B category behind Tex. Ideally, we need to get Tex locked into a long-term contract, but we all know that that’s going to take some work to make it happen. Hopefully we’ll see some talent develop during the season in the minors, or I’d look for the Braves to trade if the need arises to replace Tex.