Dodgers acquire Jim Thome and John Garland
Tuesday, September 1, 2009 10:43 AM PDT
LOS ANGELES (AP) — It’ll be old home week when Jim Thome joins Manny Ramirez on the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Their reunion was set up when the Dodgers acquired the slugging first baseman from the Chicago White Sox on Monday night. Also joining the Dodgers’ lineup is right-hander Jon Garland, who came over from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Ramirez was all smiles about the deal for Thome after the Dodgers lost 5-3 to Arizona in 10 innings. The two men played together in Cleveland for eight seasons from 1993-2000, including the 1997 World Series. They have a combined 1,106 homers. The Dodgers entered Monday ranked 12th in the NL with 114 homers.
‘‘He’s one of the best guys I ever played with in my entire career,’’ Ramirez said. ‘‘He’s a great guy in the clubhouse. I’m happy to see him. He’s one of the best hitters, too. I’m just glad he’s on my team.’’
The 39-year-old Thome is hitting .252 with 23 home runs and 74 RBI in 106 games this season. He has 564 career home runs.
The five-time All-Star is owed $2,415,301 from his $13 million salary, and is eligible to become a free agent after the World Series.
The White Sox get minor league infielder Justin Fuller and will send cash to the Dodgers. The Diamondbacks will receive a player to be named for Garland.
Garland is 8-11 with a 4.29 ERA. He gave up five hits and a walk over seven sharp innings in a 9-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday.
Dodgers manager Joe Torre said he planned to talk to Garland about starting on Thursday.
