Thomas has offers from A's, another team
Frank Thomas was close to signing with the Oakland A's on Wednesday until another team made an offer at the last minute, according to a baseball source. The second offer, from an undisclosed team, at least temporarily put the brakes on the A's deal, which would reunite the aging slugger with the team he hit 39 home runs for in 2006.
Thomas, who has 516 home runs and a .302 batting average in 19 seasons, was released by the Toronto Blue Jays three days ago after he became enraged when team officials told him he no longer would play every day. Thomas believed the Blue Jays were trying to avoid him collecting another 304 plate appearances, which would have triggered a $10 million option for 2009.
Thomas, a notorious slow starter,was in a slump when he was released and is batting .167 with three home runs in 60 at-bats.
The A's have had little production from their designated hitters. Jack Cust is batting .148 with one homer in 54 at-bats, and Mike Sweeney has only a .346 slugging percentage in 52 at-bats.
Should the A's sign Thomas, it would likely end any lingering speculation that they would sign Barry Bonds.
