Frank Thomas is coming to Canada!

[ofhdhdy]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/a...2006&fext=.jsp

TORONTO -- When Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi entered this offseason, Frank Thomas wasn't necessarily on his radar. Toronto needed a solution for its designated-hitter role, but adding Thomas didn't seem realistic at the time.
"Honestly, he's a guy we've always liked, but we didn't think we'd have a chance at a guy like this," said Ricciardi, speaking from his home in Worcester, Mass., on Friday. "We thought it was pretty cut and dry that he was going to go back to Oakland."

That was until Thomas expressed interest in the Blue Jays. That got Ricciardi thinking about how much more prolific his offense could be with the 6-foot-5, 275-pound slugger swinging from the cleanup spot. Now, The Big Hurt is heading north.

Toronto officially announced Friday that it had signed Thomas to a two-year deal worth $18 million that includes a vesting option for 2009. The two-time American League Most Valuable Player is scheduled to make $9 million in each of the next two seasons.

The option year is contingent on Thomas reaching 1,050 plate appearances over the next two years or 525 plate appearances in the second year of the contract. If he reaches those marks, Ricciardi said he'd have no issues with bringing Thomas back for a third season.

Last winter, Thomas signed with the A's after spending 16 seasons with the White Sox. Recent injuries made it hard for Thomas to find a suitor, so he signed an incentive-laden contract with a base salary of $500,000 with Oakland. He then made around $3 million with the incentive bonuses.

"He really enjoyed himself in Oakland and I think it was tough for him to say that he was going to go away from them," Ricciardi said. "He liked a lot of things there, but I think he likes our situation in the sense of what we're capable of doing."

With Thomas, Toronto is capable of becoming an even better offensive threat than it was in 2006, when it ranked second in the Majors with a .463 slugging percentage. The Jays also ranked third in the Majors with a .284 team batting average, and they finished fourth in the American League with 199 home runs.

The production out of the DH spot wasn't as impressive, though. Five players split the majority of the time in that role for Toronto, and all DHs combined for just 17 home runs. Last year with Oakland, Thomas hit 39 homers -- his most since 2003 -- and he drove in 114 RBIs. Both totals would've led the Jays.

"It was a chance for us to really define that role with one guy," Ricciardi said. "This really makes our lineup pretty potent and one of the best in the American League."

Over 17 seasons, including 16 in Chicago, Thomas has hit .305 with 487 home runs, 458 doubles and 1,579 RBIs. The two-time AL Most Valuable Player currently ranks 23rd in baseball history in home runs, and he is just 13 shy of becoming just the 21st player to reach 500 long balls in a career.



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Ricciardi acknowledged that Thomas comes with some risk, though. A serious ankle injury limited Thomas to 108 games with the White Sox in the 2004-05 seasons, though the ailment wasn't a problem last year. In fact, his production helped him garner the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award from the MLB Players Association.

Even so, Thomas underwent a physical with one of Toronto's team doctors in Florida before signing the new contract. The club also had its own medical staff look over reports and have discussions with the doctors who worked on Thomas' foot.

"We didn't go into this thing without our eyes open," Ricciardi said. "We did all the medical background we could. We've done everything that we possibly can to make sure that there's enough medical clearance on our end to go forward with this."

Now, the only thing that remains to be seen is how Toronto goes forward this winter. With Thomas on the roster, a payroll increase will be necessary to meet Ricciardi's other offseason goals. The Jays are also in the market for a starter, a middle infielder, a catcher and possibly some bullpen help.

Toronto hasn't officially announced its 2007 payroll, but it's been speculated that it could reach $95 million. The Jays entered the offseason with a payroll estimated to be around $80 million, including roughly $12.5 million to spend on free agents. Toronto may be able to reveal its payroll in the next 10 days or so.

"The budget hasn't been finalized," said Blue Jays president and CEO Paul Godfrey. "We have some basic guidelines of where it's going to be, but I'm not at liberty to give the number now. The board of directors has to approve it before we can go public with the number."

Ricciardi didn't sound too worried that adding Thomas would significantly hinder Toronto's remaining tasks. Once the payroll is set, that will become more clear, though.

"We've got some room to play with," Ricciardi said. "We'll see as we get involved with other players what their cost is going to be. At that point, we'll have a better idea of how what we paid Frank takes away from the other things."

Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

This is a exciting, yet scary move by Riccardi. Exciting because we may have the best 3-4-5 hitters in baseball now but scary because we just spent 8 million per year on a 38 year old. Hopefully this turns out to be good for the Jays!

[Noob]

This is an excellent move by J.P. Its a big risk but its one that could put us over the top. Our offense took a major hit in the second part of the season when Glaus cooled off. Adding another big bat will take some pressure off Wells and Glaus so if either of them are slupping the whole offense doesn't take such a big hit. I wouldn't mind seeing JP take another risk on a pitcher like Mulder who is coming off an injury who could give you more bang for your buck rather then settling for Lilly who is asking for to much money.

[Paul]

Personally I'd rather have seen the money used elsewhere. Thomas may be great but he's a disaster in waiting at his age, his salary makes it very difficult to fill the actual holes, and Lind may be better by '08 (if not '07) for about a twentieth the cost. Not to mention it reduces the chances of keeping Wells. Tying up huge amounts of cash in question marks just brings us back to the Ash era... we should fill from free agency at the positions where we're weakest and have no prospects (like shortstop), not at the positions where we're strongest.

I liked the rotating DH idea anyhow, it kept everyone fresh, especially with Glaus on the team often needing to rest his injuries. DH isn't a position you need or want a single set player at.

I root for the Giants too, so I'm unfortunately familiar with the horrors of signing old guys. Hopefully the Jays will get lucky.

Originally Posted by Noob

Our offense took a major hit in the second part of the season when Glaus cooled off.

You mean when Hillenbrand had to be given away.

[Noob]

Originally Posted by Paul

Personally I'd rather have seen the money used elsewhere. Thomas may be great but he's a disaster in waiting at his age, his salary makes it very difficult to fill the actual holes, and Lind may be better by '08 (if not '07) for about a twentieth the cost. Not to mention it reduces the chances of keeping Wells. Tying up huge amounts of cash in question marks just brings us back to the Ash era... we should fill from free agency at the positions where we're weakest and have no prospects (like shortstop), not at the positions where we're strongest.

I liked the rotating DH idea anyhow, it kept everyone fresh, especially with Glaus on the team often needing to rest his injuries. DH isn't a position you need or want a single set player at.

I root for the Giants too, so I'm unfortunately familiar with the horrors of signing old guys. Hopefully the Jays will get lucky.



You mean when Hillenbrand had to be given away.

Thomas looks like a bargain with the contracts that have been handed out this offseason. Add the salaries of Hillenbrand, Hinske and Cat who all filled the DH role last year and Thomas is cheaper then what we paid for them. If Lind proves to be very productive they will find a place for him to play in dispite is lackluster defense.

[mbow30]

The more I think about it the more I like this contract. Think about this: When Gary Matthews is Frank Thomas's age, he will be making $10million. We are talking about a premier all-time hitter, inarguably the most distinguished hitter to ever suit up for the Blue Jays. I don't care how old he is. When he has played he has always been productive so a drop off, given that he will be DH'ing, is rather unlikely. The only concern is injury, but there are some players you take that risk on; Frank Thomas is one of those players.

[TheShaker99]

Originally Posted by mbow30

The more I think about it the more I like this contract. Think about this: When Gary Matthews is Frank Thomas's age, he will be making $10million. We are talking about a premier all-time hitter, inarguably the most distinguished hitter to ever suit up for the Blue Jays. I don't care how old he is. When he has played he has always been productive so a drop off, given that he will be DH'ing, is rather unlikely. The only concern is injury, but there are some players you take that risk on; Frank Thomas is one of those players.

I agree 100% on everything you said, I think he might hit in the high 40's for round trips this year, seeing he's hitting in the Dome now maybe 50?? A guy can dream right!!

[TrueBlueJay]

Do I hear 60? 60?

I want 60!

LOL

I watched the press conference, and Frank seems pumped. I think he's going to have a HUGE year.

[risinghorizon]

I hope he will continue to be the "Big Hurt". And show it!

[Hoosier]

Originally Posted by ofhdhdy

The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Big signing: Jays ink Thomas




This is a exciting, yet scary move by Riccardi. Exciting because we may have the best 3-4-5 hitters in baseball now but scary because we just spent 8 million per year on a 38 year old. Hopefully this turns out to be good for the Jays!

Wow there shre is a lot of information here to digest..