Thome was traded for minor leaguers Gabriel Lino, a catcher, and pitcher Kyle Simon, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Thome, who has 609 career home runs and is the all-time record-holder for walk-off home runs with 13, has been the center of trade speculation for a couple of reasons. First, the Phillies are getting first baseman Ryan Howard back soon. Second — and perhaps more important — the 41-year-old Thome is at this point in his career limited if not incapable of playing in the field, making him at best a designated hitter — rarely an option for the National League Phillies.
Even with impressive career totals, Thome is only considered a marginal bet to make the Hall of Fame, mostly because the prime of his career occurred during the middle of the steroids era. Still, even at 41, Thome has posted a .516 slugging percentage in 62 at-bats this year — mostly as a pinch hitter and designated hitter in interleague play — which makes it a good bet he has enough left in the tank to help the sliding Orioles.
Nick Johnson, who had been a regular designated hitter for Baltimore, continued his injury-riddled career Thursday when he was sent to the 15-day disabled list.
