Twins just claimed Clete Thomas

[Thrylos]

I guess he takes Baker's 40-man spot. Either Revere to AAA or Burroughs waived

[DaTwins]

Does anybody know how Clete's defense is? Does he fit best in RF? I see he's not much of a hitter...

[Seth Stohs]

Twins drafted him yaers ago... they sure like bringing back guys they've drafted previously!

[Riverbrian]

Does anybody know how Clete's defense is? Does he fit best in RF? I see he's not much of a hitter...

Very good defense. Strong arm with some wheels. Hitting... He has some pop... Can take a base but the contact has been a struggle.

 

Im not sure that I see the need here but Ryan must like him.

[Thrylos]

Twins drafted him yaers ago... they sure like bringing back guys they've drafted previously!

The Twins drafted him in the 5th round in 2002 and he did not sign. He was drafted by Detroit in 2005 in the 6th round and signed.

[Neil]

I like it. Go Clete!

[DaTwins]

Very good defense. Strong arm with some wheels.

Nice, the Twins could definitely use some outfield defense help.

[jorgenswest]

I would think it gives Revere a chance to play everyday in AAA. Clete Thomas is probably comparable to Jason Repko. Some defense and speed in the outfield. Played mostly RF in majors but was a CF early in the minors and split time in RF and CF last year. Questionable bat. Little upside at 28 years old. Still hope they claim Rich Thompson.

[JasonDRuiz]

I like it only if Revere gets sent down to play everyday. He could use time to develop more. Doumit and Parmelee can cover right everyday but who will relieve Span in center?

[John Bonnes]

I'm happy if Revere is going to get to play everyday someplace else. It's been an absolute waste of his time for him to be with the Twins.

[John Bonnes]

I like it only if Revere gets sent down to play everyday. He could use time to develop more. Doumit and Parmelee can cover right everyday but who will relieve Span in center?

Most of Thomas' time in the minors he played CF.

[John Bonnes]

I assume Thomas is out of options and that's why he was available, right? That would mean the Twins entire bench is out of options.

[Riverbrian]

Yeah... I'm a Ben Revere fan but if he is going to be the 4th. Might as well.

 

Im a little sad about it. Please say nice things about Ben for a little while. Thanks.

[John Bonnes]

Clete Thomas is 28, bats left-handed, and had the majority of his playing time in the minors as a center fielder. He initially projected as a possible lead off hitter, but his stats in the minors suggest a fourth outfielder is more likely. Last year, he hit 12 home runs in AAA, but he's only hit 41 in his seven year minor career. In 440 plate appearances in the majors, he hit .253 with a .336 OBP and just a .391 SLG. He's a decent pickup, maybe even an above average fourth outfielder who has the versatility to cover center field. He's also battled some injuries, including Tommy John a few years ago.

[Shane Wahl]

Left-handed Jason Repko with a bit more slugging potential.

[twinswon1991]

Defense is SORELY needed! The Twins defense is even worse than the Tigers. And not to mention, with Revere gone, the Twins have the most unathletic team in the league. I hope Gardy uses this guy frequently in late inning situations to sub out Doumit and Willingham who are terrible in the field.

 

The Twins have too many DH types!

[shawntheroad]

A good move if Revere goes to AAA. Benson, Revere, Tosoni will be a very good AAA outfield.

[tcarlic]

Waive Burroughs. That guy can't hit and is not a good pinch hitting option as he has yet to get a hit in that job. Why even claim Thomas? What purpose does he serve?

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Why even claim Thomas? What purpose does he serve?

If I were TR and asked that question, my response would sound something like this:

 

We only have two guys on our roster that can play CF. What's best for Ben Revere is to play every day. As long as Denard is healthy, Revere won't be playing every day up here. Thomas gives us a guy that can play all three positions solidly and allow us to send Revere down to further his development.

 

...or something like that.

[Riverbrian]

If I were TR and asked that question, my response would sound something like this:

 

We only have two guys on our roster that can play CF. What's best for Ben Revere is to play every day. As long as Denard is healthy, Revere won't be playing every day up here. Thomas gives us a guy that can play all three positions solidly and allow us to send Revere down to further his development.

 

...or something like that.

As I read your post... I imagined TR's voice. You know the kinda scratchy grandpa voice that he has.

 

It fit like a glove. I could hear TR saying exactly that. That was a TR statement to the bone.

[Dilligaf69]

Makes sense if it's Revere, but what is with this offense?? I thought they broke out of it the other day with 20 hits but it just goes to show you that basesball is SO different from other sports. Something about momentum and the next day's starting pitching??

[Dilligaf69]

Ben officially optioned to Rochester via twitter.

[Highabove]

The Twins make the needed move, to energize the Fan base!!!!!!

[Mike Sixel]

What was your favorite Ben Revere moment? This lasts until TR trades Span for someone that is 2+years away from contributing to the team, and then Benson is up. This FO knows it doesn't have great pitching, and needs offense to win, and Revere does not supply that.

[Riverbrian]

What was your favorite Ben Revere moment? This lasts until TR trades Span for someone that is 2+years away from contributing to the team, and then Benson is up. This FO knows it doesn't have great pitching, and needs offense to win, and Revere does not supply that.

Yeah, that's right... You score more then the other team you win. This Twins team can hit. We will simply pummel them with our bats. Look at the lineup sent out there today. No one in the American league can compete with that. Hang some cookies... Boot some balls. It won't matter because we will bash our way past all of that straight to the top. This offensive lineup can't fail, none of that other so called baseball stuff matters. The addition of Clete Thomas is the final piece. This dude can hit!!!

[deanlambrecht]

I think it's got offense because it knows it doesn't have the pitching to compete, and offensive shows sell tickets.

 

Clete Thomas. Meh. Makes sense from the Revere standpoint only, but sometimes I wonder why we're hanging onto Revere, frankly. We'll see...

[greengoblinrulz]

.253/.336/.391 in 145 MLB gm ...391Abs 22doubles 8hr 48 rbi 5sb 103k 47bb

.252/.336/.409 in 255 AAAgm...904ABs 52doubles 26HR 128rbi 76sb 299k 107bb

[roger]

A good move if Revere goes to AAA. Benson, Revere, Tosoni will be a very good AAA outfield.

You have to include Matt Carson in that outfield. Is a toss up whether Carson or Dozier is their best hitter. I agree that this is a good move as Revere needs to play every day. He needs to work on the little things that will make him a good major leaguer. Things like bunting for base hits, etc!

[Jesse1]

yeah, the Twins need to put a claim on Rich Thompson and send Burnett to AAA as well

[nicksaviking]

Thomas finally improved his HR total at AAA last year which had long been expected. Unfortunately it looks like it came at the expense of his previously respectable OBP.

 

The bonus in having Thomas up instead of Revere, is Gardy won't feel pressure to make right field a three man platoon. Doumit and Plouffe should get nearly every start.