Twins Hit The Long Ball: Sign Thome to One Year Deal

The team that is nicknamed the "piranhas" for their style of play have signed long time arch nemesis Jim Thome to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million with $750,00 in incentives. Thome, who is 39 years old, returns to the divison that he should know almost everything about since he played for the Cleveland Indians as well as the Chicago White Sox prior to signing this deal with the Twins.

Thome has been known to hit the long ball. He has 564 career home runs, with 57 of those coming against the Twins, including his game winning home run in the 7th inning off Nick Blackburn in game 163 of the 2007 season. A game in which the White Sox won 1-0.

It has been said that Thome will be more of a bench player for the Twins with Jason Kubel being the DH, and Justin Morneau at first base. Thome adds power to the Twins roster that already has a variety of power hitters in Kubel, Morneau, Mauer, and Cuddyer. All of which have the possiblity to hit over 25 homeruns a season.

Kubel is coming off a career year in which he hit 28 home runs, drove in 103 rbi, and batted .300 for the season. Add this in with Morneau's 30 hr and 100 rbi, Cuddyer's 32 hr and 94 rbi, and Mauer's 28 hr and 96 rbi, along with addition of Thome you have one powerful lineup.

The Twins (87-76 a year ago) shoul greatly improve in the win column as well as the runs scored column with the addition of Thome. Thome gives the Twins at least 5 players that all have the power to hit the long ball in their stadium at Target Field. If the Twins pitching staff remains healthy look for them to make a run at not just winning the AL Central again, but making a run in the playoffs as well.

It should be an exciting year when this April comes around with the addition of Thome, and Target Field which is a beautiful ballpark. Especially since the Twins are known for thier "small ball" game style but now also got another threat that can be inserted into their lineup.