Thome unlikely to play much 1B : The Philadelphia Inquirer, reports that newly singed DH Jim Thome will likely play 1B once a week at most this upcoming season. Thome, who signed a one-year deal with the Phillies on Friday, has not played an inning in the field since 2007. According to the report, the team will ask him to play more of a bench role in 2012. "I looked in the mirror and said, 'OK, I haven't played first base, but also I like the challenge of preparing over the winter to get ready for it,'" Thome said. "In the past, whether through a trade or whatever, during the season I think it's a little bit different than getting an opportunity to prepare all winter for it. It'll be a great challenge. It'll be fun. We'll see what happens." (Updated 11/06/2011)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Even with Ryan Howard likely to miss the first part of the season, it doesn't sound if the Phillies will be counting on Thome to play much in the field. The veteran has only played in the field in 28 innings over his last five seasons and said he hasn't taken ground balls since 2009. Still, he could see a start or two their a week, although will spend most of his time being used as a left-handed bat off the bench. Consider the 41-year-old low-end option in deeper formats heading into 2012. (Updated 11/06/2011).
Jim Thome earned another job in the City of Brotherly Love after signing a one-year contract with Philadelphia last November. However, the reunion is unlikely to be similar to his first stint with the Phillies when he clubbed 96 home runs and 266 RBI while hitting .260 from 2003-05. Thome, now 41 years old, finished with 15 homers and 50 RBI while splitting time between Minnesota and Cleveland in 2011. It was the third consecutive year he recorded fewer than 30 home runs as injuries have taken a toll on his hulking frame as he enters his 21st major league season. He will share playing time at first base with Ty Wigginton at the beginning of the 2012 campaign as Philadelphia will be without Ryan Howard for possibly the first two months of the year -- if not longer. He could see a boost in offensive production at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park, but nostalgia with his old team is unlikely to carry him to a rebirth in power. Fantasy owners should target Thome in the later rounds of most drafts, especially if you invest an early selection in Howard. (Updated 2/6/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
