Looked back to see if there was anything on this board, found only this, which is pure speculation.

This is in Jerry Crasnik's latest column:

6. Of the following "oldies but goodies" -- Jeff Bagwell, Mike Piazza, Sammy Sosa or Frank Thomas -- which player is most likely to have a productive, bounce-back season next year?

Responses: Thomas 8, Piazza 5, Bagwell 1, one no-decision.

Thomas was wearing a walking cast and playing spectator when the White Sox swept Houston in the World Series. He became a free agent last week when Chicago declined to exercise his $10 million option for 2006.

Before going down with a broken foot in July, Thomas hit 12 homers in 105 at-bats to give teams evidence that he has something left in the tank. He compensated for a .219 batting average with a .590 slugging percentage.

"Bat speed really isn't a huge issue for him," said a National League scout. "He controls the strike zone and he's going to find ways to get on base. I don't think you're going to get the Ted Williams version of Frank Thomas, but he still can be a very productive veteran player."

While Thomas might fit as a DH in Anaheim or Baltimore -- or even re-sign with Chicago -- his most intriguing suitor could be Oakland. Thomas lives in Arizona and apparently likes the thought of playing for a West Coast club. He's looks like the kind of bold move that Billy Beane enjoys making to shake things up a little.

Now I have heard absolutely nothing about this so it might be pure speculation on Crasnik's part, but he refers to Oakland as one of Thomas' "suitors," indicating that there might actually be something to it (however small).

My gut feeling is that he'll resign with Chicago, but you got to think that if the guy's already guaranteed a $3.5 million buy-out next year, he'll probably be willing to take less from another team.

Thoughts?