Baseball - Okland Thomas Discussing Contract

The Athletics, which are still looking for Ken Macha’s replacement, announced that they managed to make some remarkable progress regarding a new deal that would keep Thomas, also nicknamed the Big Hurt, in Oakland for two more years.

Billy Beane, Oakland’s general manager, already contacted Thomas' agent, Arn Tellem, on Thursday. Tellem informed the representative of the A’s that he was confident that, even though the sides are making strides, he expected at the same time that he will soon talk again with Beane. The agent explained that the A’s did not cut the negotiation showing their high interest in keeping his player on the roster for the next season. Tellem and Thomas are still optimistic about the possibility of reaching a new deal shortly.

At the same time, Thomas, 38, claimed that he will take also his time to listen to all offers, and he could file for free agency after the World Series. Thomas has also expressed his desire to stay in the Bay Area after reviving his career in Oakland and significantly helping the A's reach the AL Championship Series for the first time since 1992. Unfortunately the A’s were beaten by Detroit.

Thomas made a significant come-back with the Oakland after playing his first 16 major-league seasons with the Chicago White Sox. Following a bitter parting with his former team, he signed a one-year-xorth-$500,000 deal for with the A's last year. He managed to earn all his possible bonuses worth $2.6 million based on plate appearances and keeping his troublesome left foot healthy. This post-season Thomas homered twice in Game 1 of the division series against Minnesota. It was his first post-season homers since 1993. In addition he had a hit in both Games 2 and 3 to finish the first round at .500 (5-for-10). Unfortunately Detroit's pitchers had him figured out, and Thomas went 0-for-13 in the ALCS.

This season, Thomas batted .270 with a team-leading 39 home runs and 114 RBI in 137 games this year after missing all but 108 games the past two seasons with the White Sox because of injury. He didn't play during their run to the World Series title last October.