Minuteman –
I would suggest that we are dealing with a 37 year old future Hall of Fame catcher who has been squatting with those knees for a quarter century. That’s a lot of wear and tear. Probably better not to try to beat out an infield roller and pull a hammy in early Spring Training, when the results of the games are all but meaningless.
Simba – Thomas doesn’t look like a major league starting OF to me. Or even a #4. Unfortunately neither does Williams. I’m recanting on him.