Oakland Athletics Wiretap

Big Hurt Takes The High Road

A's slugger Frank Thomas can't wait for the day that the questions he fields focus solely on his rehab and his new club.

Monday wasn't that day.

On Sunday, after reading some pointed comments made by Thomas regarding the way the end of his 16-year career with the White Sox was handled, Chicago general manager Ken Williams went on an extended tirade against Oakland's new designated hitter. On Monday morning at Papago Park, Thomas told reporters that he'd spoken with Williams on Sunday night and considered the matter closed.

Thomas, who characterized his talk with Williams as lengthy and heated, refused to directly respond to some of Williams' harsher comments, which included calling Thomas "an idiot" and "selfish."

"Idiot? Selfish?" Thomas said. "There's nothing there worth a response. ... It's childish. It's time to move on. It's all a bunch of noise to me. ... As far as love lost, there was not much love there, anyway."

Via MLB.com

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White Sox GM Calls Big Hurt 'An Idiot'

White Sox general manager Ken Williams finally broke his silence Sunday morning and fired back after the latest shot from departed slugger Frank Thomas.

"He's an idiot," Williams said in a 6 1/2-minute, profanity-laced interview. "He's selfish. That's why we don't miss him. And we've held it in for far too long. And if you go out there and look long and hard enough, you'll find particulars. But I've got something to say directly to him. And I'm holding back as much as I can because, unlike him, I'll say it man-to-man, face-to-face."

Williams was angered by a recent story in the Daily Southtown in which Thomas reiterated his disappointment withthe Sox for the way his departure this off-season was handled, suggested he should have been traded after the 2000 season and questioned long-term deals given this off-season to Paul Konerko and Jon Garland because they didn't have the longevity of other Sox stars who were later dealt.

"More upsetting to me than his comments directed at me are the comments at the organization and at [Chairman] Jerry Reinsdorf," Williams said.

Via Chicago Tribune

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Phillies Track Zito's Trade Status

As the Oakland A's opened camp, general manager Billy Beane did not sound optimistic about retaining ace lefty and free-agent-to-beBarry Zito.

"When his contract ends at the end of the year, he'll be one of the most attractive free agents on the market," Beane told the Contra Costa Times. "It would be a challenge under the circumstances for anybody to sign [him], let alone the A's."

The A's have let it be known they would not trade him unless they were blown away by an offer. They are likely to hang on to him and make a run this season. If their chances are dim in July, he could be moved then.

The Phillies have monitored Zito's availability for months, but sources say the A's are looking for multiples of young talent in return (Brett Myers and Madson) and the Phils aren't willing to pay that price.

Via Philadelphia Inquirer

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