TUCSON, Ariz. -- The fallout from Frank Thomas' boycott goes on.
Thomas' agents quit Wednesday night in response to his six-day boycott of
the Chicago White Sox spring camp.
"It was an unfair situation for them," Thomas said Thursday. "They'd just
came aboard, weren't abreast about everything. ... They had nothing to do with
what went on last week. That was a personal decision."
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| It has been an eventful spring for Frank Thomas, and the season hasn't even started yet.(AP) | |
Thomas, runner-up for the AL MVP last season, left camp March 21 because he
was unhappy with some of the terms of his contract, particularly the
"diminished skills" clause. Though his contract calls for him to receive
$9,927,000 in each of the next six seasons -- with $3,827,000 a year deferred
with interest -- only this year is truly guaranteed.
If he fails to become an All-Star, win a Silver Slugger or finish among the
top 10 in MVP voting, the White Sox can revise the deal and pay him only
$250,000, plus $10,125,000 deferred. If that happens -- and the White Sox don't
have to invoke the clause -- Thomas could terminate the contract and become a
free agent.
In a statement, agents Scott Sanderson and Mike Moye said they were quitting
because they had a difference of opinion with Thomas.
"From the beginning of our involvement with Frank this offseason, we have
consistently advised him to honor his contract, perform to the best of his
abilities on the field and address any issues he might have with the White Sox
privately," the agents said.
"Based on recent discussions with Frank, we have concluded that we have
divergent views on certain principles that we believe are fundamental in the
representation of our clients."
Thomas, who returned to the White Sox on Tuesday -- the mandatory reporting
date -- said he understood the decision.
"They're good friends and that's just the way it is," he said. They have
some younger clients and they're leaning more in that direction."
Robert Fraley, Thomas' good friend and his agent when he signed his
long-term extension in 1997, was killed in the Oct. 25, 1999, plane crash that
also killed golfer Payne Stewart. Thomas was unrepresented until November, when
he hired Moye and Sanderson.
Moye used to work with Fraley.
"I thought I needed some guidance, but as it worked out, in my type of
situation, it's really hard to bring someone in with something that's
existing," Thomas said.
Thomas said he doesn't plan to hire new agents. His current contract has six
years left, and he'll be 38 when it ends.
"When you've got a past with an organization and you're comfortable with
the owner and the general manager, it's easier to get things done without that
middle man," he said.
Thomas has yet to face live pitching this spring, and won't be ready for
game action until the middle of next week.
"I'm still a couple of days behind," he said. "A couple more live
bullpens, get used to the speed of the ball, then I'll be fine."
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