Frank Thomas reportedly agrees to 2 year deal with Blue Jays - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

savafan · 11-16-2006, 07:07 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2663691

NAPLES, Fla. -- The Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on a deal with free agent designated hitter Frank Thomas, two sources at the general managers' meetings told ESPN.com.

While it's uncertain whether Thomas' deal is for three years or two with an option, a source said the total value could exceed $30 million.

The agreement is contingent upon Thomas passing a physical exam.

Thomas, 38, batted .270 with 39 homers and 114 RBI last season for the Oakland Athletics. The Texas Rangers had also made a serious push to sign him.

Thomas, a two-time American League MVP with the Chicago White Sox, played for a base salary of $500,000 this season, plus $2.6 million in incentives, after coming back from an ankle injury. Oakland made a two-year offer to Thomas before the season ended.

A's assistant GM David Forst, the team's representative at the meetings, declined to comment on the Blue Jays' pursuit of Thomas.

Thomas would represent a significant power upgrade at the DH position for Toronto. Shea Hillenbrand, Frank Catalanotto, Eric Hinske, Gregg Zaun and Bengie Molina assumed the bulk of the at-bats at the position last year, and the Blue Jays finished tied for 12th among American League clubs with only 16 home runs out of the designated hitter spot.

Thomas finished last season with 487 career homers. Barring injury, he will become the 21st player to join baseball's 500 home run club early next season.

crazybob60 · 11-16-2006, 10:40 AM

Looks like the Blue Jays are going to be hitting homers more and more often now. Didn't someone on here say that the Jays stadium is pretty much a shoebox as well, not so much as much as Great American, but pretty close? Do you think that this hurts their chances of signing Vernon Wells, or can you imagine if they do resign him?

dunner13 · 11-16-2006, 12:50 PM

This would leave the A's needing a big DH type bat. We all know how much billy beane loves OBP, sounds like a man who might overpay for dunn. Im still not totally sold on trading dunn, if we can get a good deal for him then Im for it but lets not just trade him to trade him. A's have young pitching we could use, I think wayne should at least give billy a call.

11-16-2006, 07:07 AM	#1
savafan Maple SERP Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 17,486	Frank Thomas reportedly agrees to 2 year deal with Blue Jays http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2663691 NAPLES, Fla. -- The Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on a deal with free agent designated hitter Frank Thomas, two sources at the general managers' meetings told ESPN.com. While it's uncertain whether Thomas' deal is for three years or two with an option, a source said the total value could exceed $30 million. The agreement is contingent upon Thomas passing a physical exam. Thomas, 38, batted .270 with 39 homers and 114 RBI last season for the Oakland Athletics. The Texas Rangers had also made a serious push to sign him. Thomas, a two-time American League MVP with the Chicago White Sox, played for a base salary of $500,000 this season, plus $2.6 million in incentives, after coming back from an ankle injury. Oakland made a two-year offer to Thomas before the season ended. A's assistant GM David Forst, the team's representative at the meetings, declined to comment on the Blue Jays' pursuit of Thomas. Thomas would represent a significant power upgrade at the DH position for Toronto. Shea Hillenbrand, Frank Catalanotto, Eric Hinske, Gregg Zaun and Bengie Molina assumed the bulk of the at-bats at the position last year, and the Blue Jays finished tied for 12th among American League clubs with only 16 home runs out of the designated hitter spot. Thomas finished last season with 487 career homers. Barring injury, he will become the 21st player to join baseball's 500 home run club early next season. __________________ This is the Cal Ripkin Jr. of typos. If you ask me to join your fantasy baseball league and I select Legolas in the first round, don't be angry at me. It's not my fault I've read up on the players and you haven't.

11-16-2006, 10:40 AM	#2
crazybob60 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Brownsville, KY Posts: 959	Re: Frank Thomas reportedly agrees to 2 year deal with Blue Jays Looks like the Blue Jays are going to be hitting homers more and more often now. Didn't someone on here say that the Jays stadium is pretty much a shoebox as well, not so much as much as Great American, but pretty close? Do you think that this hurts their chances of signing Vernon Wells, or can you imagine if they do resign him?

11-16-2006, 12:50 PM	#3
dunner13 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 593	Re: Frank Thomas reportedly agrees to 2 year deal with Blue Jays This would leave the A's needing a big DH type bat. We all know how much billy beane loves OBP, sounds like a man who might overpay for dunn. Im still not totally sold on trading dunn, if we can get a good deal for him then Im for it but lets not just trade him to trade him. A's have young pitching we could use, I think wayne should at least give billy a call.

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