Frank Thomas says he’s happy and there seems to be no reason to doubt him. But if there is something bugging Thomas, it has nothing to do with Ozzie Guillen and more to do with his paycheck.
Like just about everyone who works for a living, Thomas wishes his were a little bigger.
“I do feel contractually there is a respect level for what you have done for years and I don’t feel I’m [getting] that right now,” he said. “But I can’t complain about the money I make.”
Thomas exercised his option for this season at $6 million after briefly testing the free-agent waters. The Sox have an option for Thomas at $11 million for next season. If they don’t exercise it, Thomas can stay for $8 million or pursue free agency.
That’s not exactly A-Rod money or even Magglio Ordonez money, but it’s not bad either. Thomas said he has gotten over the “diminished skills” clause in his contract, although he said it was an embarrassment.
“I told people I was the first player last year to have a guaranteed contract taken away and I was bitter about it,” Thomas said. “But you know what? I got over it.”
While everyone assumed Thomas would have a problem with Guillen, it seems as though the bigger issues surrounded Thomas and general manager Ken Williams.
“You know I darn well said I wasn’t happy I didn’t hear from him during the off-season,” Williams said. “There are compensation issues that he’s on record as saying before, and they are still there. . . . He had an option to go out and test the market, and he wanted to be here.”
Thomas said his salary might reflect the fact he’s primarily a designated hitter. Perhaps if he played the field more, he said, he would make more money.
“I’m not going to complain about it,” Thomas said. “I still have to go out and work my butt off and not hold grudges.”
