Blue Jays release Thomas after slow start to 2008 season

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

Frank Thomas bitched in Chicago, and now he was bitching in Toronto.

What did he expect? He is a 39 year old DH on a young team. I reckon he was released simply on him shooting his mouth off and this was a way for the Jays to say to the players "Repect my authoritay !!"

I was a bit shocked they released him, but he has a freaking attitude problem and should realize he isnt exactly the same guy that used to hit 40-120.

To quote the Rock. "know your role, AND SHUT YOUR MOUTH !!"

Suntan Superman

WC's Resident Samoan

Well I can't argue with the move. As much as I like Frank... Why waste the Roster spot on someone who's gonna be complaining. I'd bring up Adam Lind. Guy has great potential to be a great hitter. Much more valuable than Frank.

Dr. Giganto

Also, releasing him now, waaaaaay before he reaches the plate-appearances threshold for his vesting option prevents the union from filing a grievance.

Let's say he made 375 PAs (1 short of when the option kicks in) and THEN the Jays released him. The player's association could say that they violated the collective bargaining agreement by releasing a player simply for monetary reasons. You're not allowed to do that in baseball.

By releasing him this early, if anybody says it's monetary considerations, they can say "Hey, we could have gotten another 300 PAs out of him if it was only monetary"

So, releasing him this early covers their asses

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

How could it ever be for monetary reasons if the teams are always on the hook for the remainder of their contracts?

Unless if another team picks him up, then I think the new team picks up the contract?? Or would Frank say sign with Oakland for the minimum and the Jays pay the rest of his original deal? How does that work?

Either way, I have Adam Lind AND Frank Thomas in my money FBL league. I like this move. I got Johnny Damon as my 4th outfielder so losing Frank is nuttin.

Dr. Giganto

They're on the hook for the money for this year, but if he reaches 376 PAs this season, they owe him $10 million next year.

You cant bench a player or waive a player just so that he doesnt earn a performance-related or playing-time-related bonus. That's a violation of the collective bargaining agreement. So, if they had released him right before he hit 376 plate appearances, it would look like they were intentionally trying to keep him from reaching his $10 million bonus money, and that's against the rules

Dakstang

WC's Resident Redneck

All I know is that if players and teams alike would quit worrying about money so much and actually enjoy baseball, we would all be better off.

Not many teams or players actually enjoy baseball anymore. All they care about is the next million dollars to add to their account.

I'm a good old rebel, now that's just what I am.
I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

Ahhhh that explains it well Tom. Thanks.

I feel that ALL sports should have contracts like the NFL. Best system ever.

To think that guys like Mike Hampton and Kevin Brown made over 100 million dollars to SUUUUUUUUUUUUCK at baseball is sickenening at times.

Granted its not a perfect system, and both the owners and players make way too much money, but within a supply and demand system such as sports the money is going to get spend and demanded left and right, this would just be a great way for owners to expect and demand production from its players.

Dr. Giganto

NFL does have the best system. If you don't produce, the team cuts you and you dont get paid anymore.

Thus, the players have the motivation to continue working hard.

The NBA has it worse than MLB. Guys like Jerome James coast through their entire careers, then play hard one year (their contract year), get overpaid by a shitty GM like Isiah Thomas, and ruin the team's cap space for years.

Most MLB players play hard, since you have so few opportunities a game to actually contribute. I mean, if you have 4 at-bats a game, or 3 or 4 plays in the field per game, you're gonna make them count, right?

But if you have 75 possessions in a basketball game...well, you won't exactly play so hard on every single one.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

Very true Tom. The NBA system is junk.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Well, I think the NBA system is great. Isiah Thomas is an idiot for overpaying to get Jerome James when the guy showed up out of nowhere and had a couple good playoff games. In the NBA, if you make a ton of mistakes, you're going to pay for it.. but if you are good at scouting talent and making trades, you could be the Utah Jazz and be a contender for 20 years.