Toronto releases Frank Thomas

[faba]

Blue Jays release Thomas after slow start to 2008 season

ESPN.com news service

TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays released slumping designated hitter Frank Thomas Sunday, cutting the 19-year veteran loose one day after he was angry for being taken out of the lineup.

Hurting Big

A deep slump earned Frank Thomas a seat on the bench and eventually his release on Sunday.

First 7 gamesLast 9BA.240.114*RBIs101HR30*1-14 in last 3 games

Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi told ESPN's Peter Gammons that the release of Thomas was "by mutual consent. He doesn't want to be here if he's not going to play much, and we don't want him to be unhappy. He handled it with class, and I appreciate that."

The move leaves the Blue Jays on the hook for the remainder of the two-year $18 million contract the 39-year-old Thomas signed in November 2006.

"Our best opportunity is to put other guys in the lineup at this point," Ricciardi said, according to The Associated Press. "Obviously, reduced playing time is not something that he was interested in. In order to let him go forward and get on with his career, I think it's fair to do it at this point."

Thomas was hitless in his past 13 at-bats and had gone 4-for-35 since homering in three straight games April 5-8. Known as a slow starter, he batted .167 with three homers and 11 RBIs for Toronto this season.

Last season, Thomas batted .277, leading the team with 26 home runs and 95 RBIs.

"I don't know that we have the luxury of waiting two to three months for somebody to kick in because we can't let this league or this division get away from us," Ricciardi said, according to the AP.

Thomas' deal included a $10-million option for 2009 that would have kicked in automatically if he made 376 plate appearances this season. On Saturday, Thomas said the Blue Jays had benched him to prevent him from reaching that mark.

"It's pretty obvious," Thomas said. "Sixty at-bats isn't enough to make that decision. I'm angry, I know I can help this team. My career isn't going to end like this."

Thomas did not shake hands with his teammates following Toronto's 3-2 victory over Detroit Saturday and left the clubhouse without speaking to reporters.

Ricciardi said Thomas was more calm when they met Sunday, adding that the contract was not part of their discussion.

"That never came up," Ricciardi said, according to the AP. "I told Frank our decision is based on performance and his decision is based on not being able to be in the lineup."

He reached the 500-homer plateau on June 28 against Minnesota's Carlos Silva.

Thomas has 516 career homers, placing him 18th on baseball's career list. In addition, he has hit 264 career home runs as a designated hitter, the most in baseball history.

With a career average of .302, Thomas is one of four players in baseball history to record at least a .300 average, 500 home runs, 1,500 RBIs, 1,000 runs and 1,500 walks. The others are Mel Ott, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[jetsrule128]

wow

i have him in a 20 team fantasy league

[BP]

He's always been a classless crybaby. I hope he gets picked up by the Newark Bears.

[Blackout]

He's always been a classless crybaby. I hope he gets picked up by the Newark Bears.

lol they benched him because he's off to a slow start which he always is in April

and they dont want him hitting incentives

[Vudu]

Well atleast he won't be hitting bombs against my Yankees anymore.

[Mavrik]

Hope he has fun in the Independent League. Nobody is going to want a late 30s whiner.

[Arsis]

I'd take him @ 1st over Giambroid.

[Kidhuman]

Word Arsis. The Yankees need to follow suit and get rid of Giambi.