UPDATE: (4/24) 2:49pm (EST) - According to ESPN.com (AP), the Big Hurt is headed back to the Bay Area, signing with the Oakland A’s for about $337,000, a pro-rated protion of the major-league minimum of $390,000. At the very least, Thomas will help give a much-needed power boost to the Oakland lineup. He will also get much of his $8 million salary still from the Blue Jays. To make room for him on the roster, the A’s moved Travis Buck to the 15-day DL, and Eric Chavez to the 60-day DL.

UPDATE: (4/23) 11:14pm (EST) - As per Tim Brown at Yahoo Sports!, Thomas was close to signing with the A’s earlier today, until another team made an offer at the last minute. The second team is not yet known, but it has put any deal on hold for now, as Thomas thinks over his offers.

Apr 23, 9:13am (EST) - According to Mychael Urban at MLB.com, Oakland Athletics manager Bob Geren tried his best to avoid discussing his team’s level of interest in free agent slugger Frank Thomas. Thomas, of course, was released by the Toronto Blue Jays this past weekend, after blowing up about being benched. Said Geren on the matter, “That’s not something I’m gonna comment on. I don’t want to talk about other teams’ players.” Um, Bob, he doesn’t have a team any longer buddy… despite the Blue Jays being on the hook for his 2008 salary.

Any club that signs Thomas will only have to pay a pro-rated portion of the mjaor-league minimum. Not exactly a risky move. In 2006, the Big Hurt hit .270, with 39 homers and 114 RBI for the A’s. He helped the club win their division, and also reach the AL Championship Series. With the A’s currently tied for the lead in the AL West again in this early 2008 season, and with the team in serious need of power, a low-risk signing like this could pay dividends.

Filed under: Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, _Polls