Jays Cut The Big Hurt.

It's not really a big surprise that the Jays released Frank Thomas. JP realizes that this year is his last chance and he couldn't afford another slow start from Thomas. If Thomas had started out hot I don't think the $10 million they would have owed him for next year once he reached 376 plate appearances would have mattered at all.

As it stands the Jays aren't on the hook for the $10 million next year, and they can replace him in the lineup with matt Stairs and Shannon Stewart and whoever else they can find. The release does indicate a sense of urgency for this year and that is a good thing. The Yankees will have a lot of free agent cash to spend this winter and their young starters will be ready to win 16 or 17 each next year. Therefore they Jays have to do something this year or blow things up completely because unless some unknown guys develop quicker than expected and star next year, this year is their best shot at the division or Wild Card.