Big Hurt, Big Pissed
Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Frank Thomas was livid Saturday after getting benched in favor of Matt Stairs and being told by manager John Gibbons he can expect further cuts to his playing time.
Thomas was hitless in his past 13 at-bats and has gone 4-for-35 since homering in three straight games April 5-8.
The 39-year-old Thomas signed a two-year, $18-million contract with Toronto in November 2006. The deal includes a $10 million option for 2009, but only if Thomas makes 376 plate appearances this season.
Thomas, who is batting .167 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 60 at-bats, said the Blue Jays are cutting his playing time to prevent the option from kicking in.
"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."
Perhaps Frank is correct and sixty at bats is too small a sampling to make a decision, but that .167 looks ugly. I would be pissed if Matt Stairs was replacing me too.