The Official Site of The Toronto Blue Jays: News: Thomas benched for time being

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MLB.com: Thomas benched for time being
Published 4/19/2008 at BBTF's Baseball Primer Newsblog
MLB.com: Thomas benched for time being TORONTO—Frank Thomas received an unexpected call into Blue Jays manager John Gibbons’ office on Saturday morning. The message was that the omission of the designated hitter’s name from Toronto’s starting lineup isn’t simply a one-day switch. ... “Basically, I’ve been told that I’m not going to be in that lineup,” Thomas said. “Gibby told me that this morning. I see it as something else is going on. We’ll see how that plays out.” Thomas needs 304 more plate appearances this season in order for his $10 million option for 2009 to kick-in.

Big Hurt Miffed Over Benching
Published 4/20/2008 by Matt Soteroff at Jays Nest
In the midst of one his now-famous early season slumps, Frank Thomas has been benched by the Blue Jays in favor of Matt Stairs. The Big Hurt was left out of the lineup for today’s 3-2 win over Detroit and it looks like this won’t just be temporary. Thomas hitting just.167 and while Toronto fans and the man himself try to convince themselves its just another bad April, his bat looks slower than ever. Thomas seems to think that the move was a financial one as the Jays are bound to give him a $10 million option if he notches 1000 combined plate appearance between this year and last. He needs 304 more for the big payday, and he’s convinced that JP Ricciardi is trying to avoid ...

American League & National League News - 4/20
Published 4/20/2008 by Ian at SOX & Dawgs
The Red Sox remembered their former catcher John Marzano before the game. Angels pitcher John Lackey felt good after throwing a simulated game. The Astros signed pitcher Alay Soler to a 1-year contract. The A’s are without the services of Travis Buck due to shin splints. Blue Jays DH Frank Thomas is not happy about the decision to be benched. Things are coming together for Braves center fielder Mark Kotsay. The Brewers aren’t sure who is going to start today. Russ Springer is ready to come back for the Cardinals. The Cubs recalled Matt Murton from Triple-A ...

Big Hurt feelings
Published 4/20/2008 by Jim at Sox Machine: Chicago White Sox blog
Big Hurt feelings Frank Thomas is currently out of a job : [image] Thomas said that the Jays were sitting him early in order to prevent him from reaching a plate appearance threshold and thus triggering an option. This would be the second time a hitch in his contract has been used against him , and the second time it's been done by somebody who doesn't possess the best people skills. (Although this is the first time by somebody who looks like Stanley Spadowski.) Frank's lifetime average is .302, so there's at least one advantage in hanging it up now. ************************ Minor league roundup for Saturday:

The Week In Quotes: April 14-20 by Alex Carnevale
Published 4/21/2008 at Baseball Prospectus
... (Jordan Bastian, MLB.com ) "What can I say? The fans have always been unbelievable to me there. I don't really know how to explain it. It makes you feel good that the fans still think of you as wearing that number." --YES commentator ...