The A's have begun preliminary negotiations on a new contract for Frank Thomas, the veteran said Saturday. Thomas has been one of the best free-agent signings this season, with the A's giving him a $500,000 base salary. However, he has earned an additional $2 million out of a maximum $2.6 million in bonuses and incentives. "We've talked to the A's," said Thomas, adding that agent Arn Tellem has been negotiating with the team for about a week. "Hopefully we'll get something going soon. We're not close yet. I would love to come back here. Like I said, I'm just going to be patient. I would like to get a couple of years, but I don't know what their interests are in that."