A's sign Frank Thomas to upgrade their offense

[aje]

Associated Press
Wed, Jan 25, 2006


OAKLAND, Calif. -- Free agent slugger Frank Thomas agreed to a one-year contract with Oakland on Wednesday, giving the Athletics the big bat they`ve been searching for in the middle of their lineup.

An A`s official familiar with the negotiations confirmed the deal, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team hadn`t made an official announcement. Thomas was to be formally introduced in a news conference Thursday.

Thomas, a two-time American League MVP who has been slowed by injuries in recent years, played his first 16 seasons with the Chicago White Sox, who won their first World Series title since 1917 last season.

The low-budget A`s have spent recent offseasons losing big-name players such as Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Johnny Damon, Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder. But after missing the postseason for the second straight year following four consecutive trips to the playoffs, Oakland general manager Billy Beane has added Thomas and Milton Bradley to a lineup that struggled to score runs at times last season - and done so without losing anyone of significance.

Beane had been interested in acquiring Thomas for months and the deal was reportedly in the works for some time. Thomas will be the A`s primary designated hitter and join Eric Chavez and Bradley in the heart of Oakland`s order.

Hobbled by leg injuries for the second straight season, the 37-year-old Thomas hit .219 with 12 homers and 26 RBIs in 34 games in 2005. He played only 74 games in 2004 following a 42-homer season the previous year.

He started the 2005 season on the disabled list following surgery, played for the first time on May 31, then went back on the DL on July 21 with another left ankle fracture. He did not play again and could only watch as the White Sox swept Houston to win the Series.

In a move that came as no surprise, the White Sox parted ways with Thomas during the winter meetings last month when they refused to offer him salary arbitration. But Thomas criticized the team`s handling of the decision, telling Chicago newspapers that he thought the White Sox portrayed him as an injured player even though his foot is healed.

A five-time All-Star, he has a .307 career average with 448 homers and 1,465 RBIs. He won consecutive MVP awards in 1993 and 1994.

With the addition of Thomas, Dan Johnson will likely be Oakland`s starting first baseman and Nick Swisher and Jay Payton could share time in left field. Bradley will start in right alongside center fielder Mark Kotsay.

[bigboydan]

i was wondering when the A's were gonna finaly get this deal done.

this is a perfect fit in oakland IMO

[raiders72001]

I'm glad to see him leave Chicago.

[Illusion]

He will really help them if he stays healthy.

[bigboydan]

those pitchers out there still have respect his batting abilities. because, that guy is a walking machine. thats exactly what the A's need.

[Illusion]

The guy has one of the best eyes in baseball.

[bigboydan]

Thomas eager to move forward with A's after frustrating end in Chicago

By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer
January 26, 2006

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- As determined as Frank Thomas is to move forward with his new team in Oakland, there's still some lingering frustration about how he parted ways with the Chicago White Sox.

Thomas claims he never received a courtesy call from team officials to tell him he was no longer in their plans after 16 seasons. Not to mention no end-of-the-season physical to evaluate his health.

And Thomas, the Athletics' new designated hitter, seriously doubts he'll make the trip to Washington for Chicago's celebratory White House visit with President Bush -- because that would just be too awkward.

During last month's winter meetings in Dallas, the White Sox declined to offer him salary arbitration, ending a 16-year relationship between Thomas and his only major league team.

"I was shocked," said Thomas, formally introduced Thursday by the Athletics a day after he agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract. "It wouldn't have been about money with me this year. It would have been about closure in Chicago. ... They brought in Jim Thome, and he was more injured than I was last year."

A call to White Sox general manager Kenny Williams wasn't immediately returned Thursday evening.

Now, Thomas is just trying to look ahead to what he can do to help the A's get back to the playoffs after missing the postseason the past two years following four straight trips.

Dressed in a gray suit and sporting a sparkling diamond stud in his left ear, the two-time MVP smiled as he held up his new No. 35 jersey and pulled on his green and yellow A's cap -- adjusting the brim slightly.

Thomas brings the powerful right-handed bat the A's were looking for to round out the heart of their order, and he is excited to be a pseudo hitting coach for his teammates, too.

"This guy probably represents nirvana for us from an offensive standpoint," A's general manager Billy Beane said. "We see him as an incredible acquisition."

It's been since Jason Giambi last played for Oakland in 2001 that you could say the word slugger and A's in the same breath. Thomas needs 52 home runs to reach the 500-mark, though he believes he has already built a Hall of Fame resume.

"It's very important," Thomas said. "I can't lie, 500 is somewhere I wanted to be when I started this journey 15 years ago. It's easier to get to 500 playing for a winning ballclub."

Thomas' deal includes up to $2.6 million in incentives based on plate appearances and not hurting his troublesome left ankle. He hopes to be in the lineup opening day, though he has yet to run.

Thomas began last season on the disabled list following surgery, played for the first time on May 31, then went back on the DL on July 21 with another left ankle fracture. He did not play again and could only watch as the White Sox swept Houston to win the World Series for the first time since 1917.


When the 37-year-old Thomas did play, he was productive. He batted .219 with 12 homers and 26 RBIs in 34 games in 2005. He played only 74 games in 2004 following a 42-homer season the previous year.

He has lost more than 10 pounds and weighs around 270 -- 10 pounds lighter than his typical playing weight the past five years. His improved physique is a result of rigorous sessions of spinning on a stationary bike in the steam room.

When things didn't work out with the White Sox, the A's became Thomas' top choice. He met with Beane at last month's winter meetings in Dallas and they hit it off.

He also ran into Jerry Reinsdorf at that time and said the White Sox owner told him he would call. Thomas never heard from him.

"They made their decision," Thomas said. "I'm not going to be bitter, just disappointed. ... It was very surprising to never get a call especially what I gave the organization for 15 years. ... After a while, I did so much there, people expected more."

Thomas took a walk outside Oakland's clubhouse to check out what will by early April be a baseball field but for now is all dirt with a bulldozer crew in preparation for an upcoming international soccer match.

Thomas has always hit well in Oakland, and said he enjoyed this stop on the schedule whether the seats were filled or empty.

"I looked at some of Frank Thomas' on-base percentages, they're frightening for a full season," A's manager Ken Macha said. "He's one of the marquee offensive players."

With the addition of outfielder Milton Bradley and Thomas, Macha likes his lineup for 2006.

"We've added a little more bling to it, so to speak," Macha said.

Macha has more depth than in his previous three seasons, but for now he isn't planning to use Thomas at first base.

"We got him for his bat. I would hate to get him for his bat and for him to go out on the field and hurt himself," Macha said.

[Illusion]

He was pissed that they left him off the postseason roster? Hey Frank, yout was broke, lol.