A’s benefiting from gamble on Thomas
Frank Thomas, a two-time Most Valuable Player and five-time All-Star, was one of the more intriguing free agents last winter. The World Series champion Chicago White Sox decided, after he played just 34 games in 2005 because of injuries, that his services were no longer needed.
It was an irreconcilable breakup with the only franchise Thomas had known. It forced the former superstar to go door-to-door looking for a job at the winter meetings.
The Orioles talked to him, and manager Sam Perlozzo, for one, was impressed.
But, as it was with most clubs, Thomas’ left foot problems scared off the Orioles.
“We were close. Sammy and I talked about it and it was cool,” Thomas said. “It was something that could have worked out, but the doctors made the decision for the organization and their stance was they didn’t think I’d be able to play this year.”
Oakland took the chance, signing him to a $500,000, one-year contract with incentives worth another $2.6 million. He’s on pace to earn about $2 million of those incentives.
More important to the 38-year-old potential Hall of Famer, he is proving he can still play. Although he was hitting just .249 heading into Friday, his on-base percentage was .376 and he was second on the team in homers (20) and RBIs (51).
He’ll be a free agent again this winter, and he said he wants to play at least until he is 40.
“I’ve proven everybody wrong, so far, anyway,” Thomas said. “It’s not a typical Frank Thomas year, but it’s a lot better than people ever imagined.”
Wakefield on DL
The Boston Red Sox placed starter Tim Wakefield on the 15-day disabled list because of a stress fracture in the area of his rib cage, retroactive to Tuesday. He is eligible to return Aug. 1.
The team purchased the contract of left-hander Kason Gabbard from Triple-A Pawtucket and he started against the Seattle Mariners in his major league debut, taking the loss. The 29th-round choice in the 2000 draft is the third Triple-A call-up to join Boston’s rotation in the last six weeks.
Manager Terry Francona said Wakefield will begin undergoing ultrasound and hydrotherapy.
“The No. 1 thing is get him to have range of motion without pain,” Francona said.
Padres acquire Williamson
The San Diego Padres found the bullpen help they were seeking, acquiring right-hander Scott Williamson from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for two minor league pitchers.
The Cubs received Class-A pitchers Fabian Jimenez and Joel Santo in the deal. The Padres are still looking for a third baseman before the trading deadline.
Orioles demote Ortiz
Russ Ortiz was dropped from the Baltimore Orioles rotation, one day after struggling in his latest start.
Ortiz, 0-2 in four starts with Baltimore, didn’t retire any of the six batters he faced in the Orioles’ 14-7 loss Friday to Tampa Bay.
The right-hander is 1-16 in 22 starts – including 0-5 in six starts earlier this year with Arizona – dating to May 2005.
“We’re going to put Russ in the pen for right now,” Baltimore manager Sam Perlozzo said.