TUCSON, Ariz. – The fallout from Frank Thomas' boycott goes
on.
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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."
Thomas, runner-up for the AL MVP last season, left camp Feb. 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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ALSO SEE
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Dan Patrick: Drawing a blank on Frank
Wulf: Greed is good!
Big Hurt reports to camp, says money not the issue
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Frank Thomas news conference.
RealVideo: 28.8
 Frank Thomas has ironed out contract matters and reports to camp.
wav: 389 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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