The Oakland Athletics have reassigned first baseman/outfielder Eric Thames to Triple-A. The 35-year-old signed with the A's on a minor league deal a few months back. He got a lot of action this spring, appearing in 11 games and slashing .227/.346/.409 with one home run. There's a good chance we'll see the former Brewer back in the majors at some point this year. His signing with the A's marked a comeback to the MLB for Thames as he spent the 2021 season in the Japanese NPB league.
Free-agent first baseman/outfielder Eric Thames signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics on Friday, according to a source. Thames is a South Bay native that had most of his season in Japan last year wiped out by a torn Achilles. The 35-year-old left-handed slugger spent four seasons in Major League Baseball before that with the Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Nationals. He also played in 181 games for the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners from 2011-12 before spending two years in Korea. Thames' breakout season came in 2017 with Milwaukee, when he had an .877 OPS with 31 home runs in 138 games played. In 2020 with the Nationals, he slashed just .203/.300/.317 in 41 games.
Washington Nationals first baseman Eric Thames was 2-for-5 with three RBI during Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Atlanta Braves. It was a nice change of pace for the veteran slugger, as he has struggled mightily to begin the season. Thames is slashing .204/.264/.306 with one home run, six RBI, and a 14/2 K/BB rate. The 33-year-old is only deserving of ownership in NL-only formats unless he goes on a power surge.
Washington Nationals first baseman Eric Thames has been dealing with a tight left calf this spring, but is expected to play this weekend. This season, Thames will split time at first base with Ryan Zimmerman and Howie Kendrick at first base. At 33 years old, Thames is actually the youngest of the three. Right now he is only a very deep league or NL-only option, but if injuries clear up playing time, look to snap him off waivers. He has averaged 30 home runs per 162 games in the last three years with Milwaukee.
The Washington Nationals agreed to a one-year deal with first baseman Eric Thames on Tuesday that guarantees him $4 million, according to a source familiar with the deal. Thames will make $3 million in 2020 with a $1 million buyout of a mutual option for 2021. The 33-year-old averaged 24 home runs and an .848 OPS in the last three seasons with the Brewers and will likely start at first base against right-handers this year. He's expected to platoon with Ryan Zimmerman, who the Nationals are expected to re-sign shortly. Thames has hit .254/.337/.497 against righties in his career and .197/.272/.376 against lefties. The Nats have signed Thames, Starlin Castro, Asdrubal Cabrera, Will Harris and Daniel Hudson in the last four days, making it unlikely they'll land Josh Donaldson.
Milwaukee Brewers general manager David Stearns said that the team is staying in touch with first baseman Eric Thames, who was non-tendered by the Brewers. Thames was mostly a part-time player for the Brewers -- against right-handed pitchers -- and he was successful to the tune of a .247/.346/.505 slash line, 25 home runs and 61 RBI in 396 at-bats. The 33-year-old left-handed slugger can also be used in the outfield in a pinch, but he's more of a real-life platoon player that can be useful in DFS in the right matchups against right-handed hurlers. It's unlikely he'll find an everyday role on the open market.
The Milwaukee Brewers declined the 2020 $7.5 million option on first baseman Eric Thames on Monday, making him a free agent. Milwaukee paid him a $1 million buyout instead, but general manager David Stearns said the team is open to bringing him back. If Thames goes elsewhere, Ryan Braun could see even more time at first base in 2020. Thames hit .247/.346/.505 with 25 home runs and 61 RBI in 396 at-bats, with 23 of his homers and 55 of his runs batted in coming off of right-handed pitchers. It's hard to argue with his success as a part-time player, and he should latch on elsewhere if the Brewers don't bring him back. His power from the left side makes him a great DFS plug and play in the right matchups.
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames (hamstring) is back in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Thames was forced to exit early during Thursday's game due to hamstring issues. He'll bat fifth and play first base versus righty Antonio Senzatela. Thames has been fairly average with the bat, but does have some upside against Senzatela on Friday.
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames is out of the lineup on Friday afternoon against the Cubs. The Brewers will keep Thames on the bench against the left-handed starter Jose Quintana, and instead they will slot in Yasmani Grandal at first with Manny Pina getting the start behind the plate.
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames and third baseman Travis Shaw are batting fifth and seventh, respectively, for Milwaukee's matinee hosting the Seattle Mariners Thursday. Both have the platoon advantage against starting pitcher Mike Leake. Thames is a solid play for DFS. Shaw, however, is not a good DFS value at any price or lineup spot right now. He is having a nightmare of a season at .166/.278/.293; plus, despite a home run Sunday, he is hitting an even worse .129/.229/.226 in the last 14 days.
Eric Thames
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