Unhappy Thomas Is Still a No-Show for White Sox

An unhappy Frank Thomas, looking for more money from the Chicago White Sox, skipped his fourth consecutive spring training workout Saturday at Tucson.

Manager Jerry Manuel said the team would prepare for the season without Thomas and use veteran non-roster invitee Harold Baines as a backup at first base and designated hitter.

Manuel, who spoke with Thomas on Thursday night, said he didn’t know how long the two-time most valuable player would stay out.

“We have to do what we have to do to get ready without Frank. Harold is relishing the role taking ground balls at first. And Frank has to do what he has to do,” Manuel said.

Manuel said he had no plans to speak with Thomas about returning to camp, but would be available to offer advice if the moody star wanted to listen.

“If I do call it would be just to see how he is,” Manuel said. “I always worry about the man before the player.”

In light of the $252-million contract signed by Alex Rodriguez, Thomas thinks he deserves a pay boost into the upper reaches of the market. He’s signed through 2006 at a base of $9.9 million per season.

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Milwaukee sluggers Richie Sexson and Geoff Jenkins each agreed to four-year contracts that will keep them with the team through 2004.

The team wouldn’t reveal financial terms, but a source with knowledge of the negotiations said Jenkins got an $18-million package and Sexson signed for $17.5 million.

Jenkins, a left fielder who made $282,000 last season, and Sexson, a first baseman who made $247,000, are both 26 and would have been eligible for arbitration for the first time next year.

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Perennial Gold Glove shortstop Omar Vizquel, who has grumbled in the past about being underpaid compared to other shortstops, said he is close to signing a contract extension with the Cleveland Indians.

“The deal is almost done,” he said. “I think in the next week or two something will get done. I’m real happy about it.”

Vizquel, who has won eight consecutive Gold Gloves, is signed through the 2002 season at $3 million a year.

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Outfielder Ruben Mateo was one of four players who signed one-year contracts with the Texas Rangers. Also agreeing to terms were right-handed pitchers Francisco Cordero and Ryan Glynn and outfielder Ricky Ledee. . . . The Arizona Diamondbacks signed left-hander Greg Swindell to a two-year contract extension through the 2003 season, with a club option for 2004. . . . The Minnesota Twins signed outfielder Jacque Jones, catcher Danny Ardoin and pitcher Kyle Lohse to one-year contracts. . . . The Baltimore Orioles signed pitcher Ryan Kohlmeier and outfielder Luis Matos to one-year contracts.