A's sign Frank Thomas

[jtsneaks]

A's sign Frank Thomas to upgrade their offense

By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer
January 25, 2006

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- 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.

The team said Thomas would be formally introduced in a news conference Thursday.

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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. Thomas can still hit, and is determined to reach the 500-homers mark and put himself in position for the Hall of Fame.

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.


JT