Frank Thomas’ storied 16-year career with the White Sox officially will come to an end Wednesday night, but Thomas had sensed his days were numbered last month.
“That door is closed,” Thomas said Tuesday morning as he left the Wyndham Anatole, headquarters for baseball’s winter meetings. “[The White Sox] did what they had to do. I have much respect and love for the city and the fans, but I would have wanted my chapter to end a little bit differently than the way it ended. I think I deserve that. I was forced to move on.”
The Sox will cut ties to Thomas, who leads the Sox in nine all-time offensive categories, and fellow free agent Carl Everett when they officially decline to offer them salary arbitration before the 11 p.m. deadline.
The 6-foot-5-inch, 270-pound Thomas, 37, met Tuesday with Oakland and Minnesota officials and appeared fit in a jogging outfit, showing no signs of a limp as he walked briskly through the hotel lobby.
“I’m just going to find the right situation and a winning situation,” Thomas said in a confident tone. “That’s important to me.”
What disturbed Thomas the most was speculation he wouldn’t be healthy for the 2006 season, although Sox officials carefully chose their words about Thomas’ future after his second foot fracture in July.
“I’m ready to go,” Thomas said. “I didn’t like the reports that said I was a risk. That’s not the case. No one gave me a physical to check. To call me a risk, that’s a problem.”
Thomas then looked at his left foot, which was in a cast until Nov. 1. Arn Tellem, Thomas’ agent, said the reports on Thomas’ foot were “encouraging” on Nov. 4–the same day the Sox elected to give Thomas a $3.5 million buyout instead of picking up a $10 million option.
“I told you guys during the playoffs that I’ll be ready to go,” Thomas said. “By the end of the playoffs, I was already healed.”
Thomas finally spoke Tuesday with Sox general manager Ken Williams, albeit briefly in a hotel elevator.
“I hope he is [healthy] and hope he’s able to stay healthy,” Williams said. ” . . . Obviously, we’re cognizant of his place in White Sox history. I can’t say anymore than what I’ve said in regards to how I feel about his accomplishments.”
The thought of Thomas wearing a uniform other than a White Sox one will be odd, Sox manager and former teammate Ozzie Guillen said.
“Hopefully he goes to the National League,” Guillen said. “I think Frank still has something left. I hope he’s healthy. . . . I wish him the best.”
Thomas was expendable after the Sox acquired left-handed slugger Jim Thome from Philadelphia and re-signed first baseman Paul Konerko. Those were the final developments after Thomas suffered a second fracture of his left foot in July that ended his comeback after only 34 games.
The Thome and Konerko transactions ended any hope of Thomas extending his career with the Sox and wiped out his desire to play three more years in Chicago, where he had hoped to hit 52 more home runs to reach 500.
An American League team is his likely destination because of Thomas’ history of foot injuries that likely will limit him to designated hitter duties.
Oakland GM Billy Beane met with Thomas and Tellem and has ruled out interest in Dodgers outfielder Milton Bradley.
“We’ll see how things work out,” Thomas said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire cautiously expressed his interest in Thomas.
“We know we need a lot of offense, and big Frank has done a lot of damage in this game,” Gardenhire said. “If he’s healthy, he can help anybody. “
———-
mgonzales@tribune.com
