Frank Thomas and the Oakland Athletics have made progress on a deal that would keep the Big Hurt in the Bay Area for two more years.
Athletics general manager Billy Beane spoke Thursday to Thomas's agent, Arn Tellem, and Tellem said he believes the sides are making strides and that he expected to soon talk again with Beane.
Frank Thomas led the Oakland A's with 39 home runs this season.
(M. J. Sanchez/Associated Press)
"We continue to talk," Beane said. "I am cautiously optimistic that both sides have a desire to get something done.
"We're certainly not there yet, but we've got time. I remain positive."
Thomas, 38, has said he needs to listen to all offers and he could file for free agency after the World Series.
He also has said he would like to stay in the Bay Area after reviving his career in Oakland and helping the A's reach the American League Championship Series for the first time since 1992.
They were swept by the Detroit Tigers.
"We're talking," Tellem said in a phone interview.
"We're having good talks. We've made progress and the talks have been positive."
Thomas remade himself with the A's after spending his first 16 major-league seasons with the Chicago White Sox.
After a bitter parting with Chicago, he signed an incentive-laden, one-year deal for $500,000 US with the A's.
He earned all $2.6 million US of his possible bonuses, based on plate appearances and keeping his troublesome left foot healthy.
Terrific in playoffs
Thomas homered twice in Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the Minnesota Twins, his first playoff home runs since 1993, and also had a hit in both Games 2 and 3 to finish the first round at .500 (5-10).
But Detroit's pitchers figured him out, and Thomas went 0-13 in the ALCS.
"We wouldn't have made the post-season without Frank," Beane said at the time.
Thomas batted .270 in 137 games with a team-leading 39 home runs and 114 runs batted this year after missing all but 108 games the past two seasons with the White Sox because of injuries.
He didn't play during Chicago's run to the World Series title last October.
Also on Beane's to-do list is hiring a manager after he fired fourth-year skipper Ken Macha two days after Oakland's season ended.
Related
Internal Links
More Baseball Headlines »
- Jays' Lilly among free agents
- Toronto Blue Jays Ted Lilly, Frank Catalanotto and Justin Speier and San Francisco's Barry Bonds were among 59 players who filed for free agency Saturday.
- Cardinals win World Series
- The St. Louis Cardinals captured their first World Series title in 24 years with a 4-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.
- Joe Niekro dies after brain aneurysm
- Former major league pitcher Joe Niekro, Houston's career victory leader, died Friday, Astros president Tal Smith said. He was 61.
- Bochy will manage Giants
- San Diego Padres manager Bruce Bochy agreed Thursday to become the new skipper of the San Francisco Giants.
- Thomas, A's talk contract
- Frank Thomas and the Oakland Athletics have made progress on a deal that would keep the Big Hurt in California for two more years.
More Sports Headlines »
- Man arrested in Berbick slaying
- A 20-year-old man was arrested Sunday in connection with the murder of former heavyweight and Canadian boxing champion Trevor Berbick.
- Canada golden at short track WC
- Canadian speed skaters continued their medal haul Sunday, winning two gold medals and a silver at the short track World Cup event in Jeonju, South Korea.
- Nestor, Knowles win Swiss title
- Toronto's Daniel Nestor and partner Mark Knowles of the Bahamas won a hard-fought doubles title Sunday at the Swiss Indoors tennis event in Basel, Switzerland.
- Schumacher to remain with Ferrari
- Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher, who retired from racing last week, will stay on at Ferrari as an assistant to new chief executive Jean Todt.
- Lions deny Blue Bombers
- Dave Dickenson threw two touchdown passes to lead the B.C. Lions to a 26-16 win over Winnipeg Saturday, costing the Blue Bombers the chance to host an East division playoff game.
