Per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Oakland Athletics are signing first baseman/nook outfielder Eric Thames to a minor-league contract. The 35-year outdated spent final season as a member of the Yomiuri Giants earlier than an damage wiped him out for the yr.

The Oakland A’s are signing Eric Thames as insurance coverage in case Matt Olson is dealt.

Thames, a sweet-swinging energy lefty bat, will make one other return stateside within the upcoming marketing campaign. After starting his profession as a member of the Blue Jays and Mariners, Thames selected to go abroad after discovering his possibilities in American baseball have been dwindling.

The remainder, as they are saying, is historical past for Thames. He went on to win the KBO MVP Award in 2015, made two All Star appearances, gained two Gold Gloves, and led the KBO in almost each offensive class a number of occasions throughout his three-year tenure.

Within the 2016-2017 offseason, Thames elected to return to the USA, signing a three-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. He grew to become an immediate fan-favorite, profitable over the hearts of the Brewers’ devoted together with his dramatic walk-off house runs and heat character.

Thames’ three-year Brewers profession resulted in just below 3.0 bWAR. He left Milwaukee to affix the Washington Nationals on a minor-league contract. When Ryan Zimmerman opted out of the 2020 marketing campaign, Thames had a simple shot because the membership’s on a regular basis first baseman.

The journey via D.C. didn’t pan out for anybody concerned. Thames hit simply .203; placing out 30% of the time and posting -0.3 oWAR with an OPS+ of simply 65.

Within the 2020-2021 offseason, he discovered himself as soon as once more signing a contract abroad; this time with the Yomiuri Giants. After a red-hot begin via his first 9 video games on the staff, Thames tore an Achilles tendon and missed the remainder of the season.

The Oakland A’s are able to unload their greatest names for the appropriate worth. First baseman Matt Olson has discovered himself firmly in the midst of the offseason commerce rumors and figures to be a probable candidate to play elsewhere in 2022. The A’s have introduced aboard veteran Eric Thames on a minor-league deal, probably as insurance coverage ought to they transfer on from Olson.