Frank Thomas Rumors

Frank Thomas "Close" To Retiring

Frank Thomas says he's "close" to retiring, according to ESPN.com. The two-time MVP said there's only about a five percent chance he returns, but he never wants to unretire, so he's intent on thinking his decision through. Thomas believes he could still play in the major leagues and says he's in good shape. The Big Hurt had eight homers and a .723 OPS last year with the Blue Jays and A's. He has a career .974 OPS and his 521 homers place him 18th on the all-time list.   Continue Reading

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Davidoff On Free Agents

Newsday's Ken Davidoff runs through six current free agents, digging up new information about a few. Paul Byrd never received a call from the Angels, so he'll continue to wait until later this summer to see what's available. Frank Thomas is working with hitting coach Mike Easler, who believes "Frank might give it to the All-Star break." Easler says another client of his, Jacque Jones, could help a club. Jim Edmonds would play in the right situation, but his agent Paul Cohen doesn't know if there will be an offer. Damion Easley, another Cohen client, would also like to continue...   Continue Reading

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Verducci: "It's A Young Man's Game"

SI.com's Tom Verducci links two of the year's most-discussed trends: the demand for young players and the demand for good defense, writing that "the renewed emphasis on defense hasn't helped the value of older players." As a result, teams are reluctant to sign older free agents like Frank Thomas and Jim Edmonds. Many of the older players who signed contracts this offseason are struggling; Verducci mentions Edgar Renteria and Orlando Cabrera among others. Of course it's too early in the season to make sweeping generalizations, but Verducci concludes that baseball's "a young man's game." Verducci adds that teams like the...   Continue Reading

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Cafardo's Latest: Stetter, Catalanotto, Pedro

The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo has a few bits of information... The Red Sox scouted Brewers left-hander Mitch Stetter last week. The 28-year-old reliever has held lefties to a .170 average and rigthties to a .151 mark this season. The Sox, who scouted him last week, are simply being thorough and exploring options in case they come to need anothery lefty in the pen, writes Cafardo. Free agent outfielder Frank Catalanotto has received interest, but is holding out for the right fit. Jacque Jones and Frank Thomas have been working out together in Las Vegas and are both hoping to...   Continue Reading

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Crasnick On Remaining Free Agents

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick has a new article up looking at a bunch of free agents. Crasnick talked to one American League exec who views Pedro Martinez as "strictly a National League pitcher." Coupled with his price tag and long layoff, the market isn't big for Pedro. Ben Sheets is weeks away from a throwing program. He's probably a ten-start guy this year, but interest figures to be strong. Jim Edmonds hopes to sign by May. He'll need two to three weeks to get ready. Mark Grudzielanek also wants to play, and tells friends he only needs a week. He'll look...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal On Matthews, Thomas, Hammel, Niemann

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a new column... The Angels attempted to sell the Reds on Gary Matthews Jr., but it was a one-sided discussion. The Reds have no desire to trade Bronson Arroyo or Aaron Harang for Matthews. Angels GM Tony Reagins told Rosenthal, "We haven't had much discussions with respect to trades and trade possibilities." UPDATE: Reds GM Walt Jocketty told John Fay he hasn't talked to the Angels since the Winter Meetings. Free agent DH Frank Thomas is still waiting for an offer. He intends to delay a decision about retirement until at least the All-Star...   Continue Reading

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Frank Thomas Still Looking For Work

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports talked to free agent DH Frank Thomas, who is "a little shocked" at the lack of interest. Thomas says he's in excellent shape and doesn't intend to retire. He believes he can hit 35-40 home runs this year and doesn't want a part-time role. Two unknown teams have at least expressed interest. I'm guessing Thomas might have to accept a minor league deal. I wonder if the Mariners could be a fit.   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Red Sox Non-Roster Invitees

Some Odds and Ends around the league: In a good piece by Chico Harlan of the Washington Post, Nats GM Jim Bowden says Stephen Strasburg is "as good a pitcher as we've seen in the draft in 10 or 15 years." He could be in the rotation as soon as September. Amusingly, Strasburg's mother described Scott Boras, who is advising the phenom, as a "Rottweiler." WEEI's Alex Speier lists the Red Sox 19 non-roster invitees. 13 of them have Major League experience. Brad Wilkerson is also expected to be present. David Lennon of Newsday.com reports that Omar Minaya has achieved...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal On Fielder, Buchholz, Edmonds

The latest from Ken Rosenthal... Rosenthal suggests the Brewers trade Prince Fielder for "premium pitching" and then sign Adam Dunn to replace him. Which begs the question, why wouldn't the team giving up this premium pitching just sign Dunn instead? Despite signing John Smoltz, the Red Sox still are not willing to trade Clay Buchholz for Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The Sox may be willing to move Michael Bowden or especially Daniel Bard for Salty. The Yankees' interest in Mike Cameron "seems to be waning." Despite Jon Heyman's report, the Phillies, Angels, and Brewers deny interest in Derek Lowe. Rosenthal says the...   Continue Reading

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A's Decline To Offer Arb To Embree, Thomas

According to MLB.com's Mychael Urban, the A's declined to offer arbitration to Type B free agents Alan Embree and Frank Thomas. Embree was an uncertainty, but the player said earlier today he didn't expect an offer. Ten teams have expressed interest in the lefty reliever. Among them: the Mariners and Rockies, reportedly.   Continue Reading

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