Jim Thome Traded To Indians

The Minnesota Twins dealt slugger Jim Thome to the Cleveland Indians after he reached 600 career home runs.  Other franchises would be criticized for doing this.

Jim Thome hit two home runs against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, August 15.  The second home run was Thome's 600th career homer.  Just 10 days later, the Twins made a deal to send the slugger to the Cleveland Indians.

"There's no question it's a bittersweet deal," Twins GM Bill Smith said.  "But there's also no question this is the right thing to do for Jim Thome.

There is no doubt that it's the right thing to do for Jim Thome.  The Twins are currently trailing the Detroit Tigers by 16 games in the AL Central.  The Indians are 6.5 games back, but at least they are in contention.

The interesting part of this deal is that "the right thing to do for Jim Thome" never popped up before Thome blasted #600.  A franchise like the Yankees would be criticized for holding onto a player to reap the benefits of having that player reach a milestone while wearing a Yankee uniform, only to deal him days later.  Granted, they wouldn't be blasted mercilessly, but the Yankees are held to a different standard than a franchise like the Twins.  The Twins, on the other hand, are not being criticized whatsoever.