Jim Thome Traded to the Baltimore Orioles

With so much talk about loyalty in sports and players not staying on one team for their entire career nothing is ever said for when teams ship out players like cargo across the pacific.

Well, Jim Thome who signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in the off season, was traded to the Baltimore Orioles according to an ESPN report. The Phillies acquire right-hander Kyle Simon and catcher Gabriel Lino, while the Orioles hope to obtain a needed jolt to their offense that has been lacking as of late.

Jim Thome who is one who claims he is all about loyalty, was traded from the team he thought he’d end his career with, kind of fitting for a guy who left his initial team the Cleveland Indians after he said he was ‘loyal’ to them.

Assessing how the trade will help the Orioles; he should add a needed power threat, and considering Camden Yards is a hitter friendly park I can see why the Orioles were intrigued. Thome also being a great locker room guy can provide some stability to the locker room and be a big brother type that the younger guys in the locker room can look to. I don’t think it will put them over the top to win the division, however they should have a good shot at the wildcard spot.