While the north side of Chicago focuses on the Cubs' managerial hunt, the south side is watching the White Sox work to determine Frank Thomas' future with the organization. Thomas' contract includes a clause that makes arrangements for the White Sox to defer without interest all but $250,000 of his salary in each of the next four seasons. He could have nullified the provision with a number of accomplishments, including making the All-Star team, finishing in the top ten in AL MVP voting, or winning a Silver Slugger Award this year. Chicago also had the option of invoking the clause after last season, but the organization gave Thomas a reprieve due to his injury.

The White Sox have chosen to invoke the clause, however they are willing to negotiate with Thomas to defer less than the full amount allowed by the clause so he won't be the only player in the league with a salary under $300,000 next season. Once they agree to new terms, Thomas can test free agency for 45 days, after which he can either commit to the White Sox contract in which he eventually would receive his money, or he sign with anther club. Chicago currently appears willing to up the annual salary from $250K to $5M. The White Sox want to construct a contract that will enable them to retain Thomas while still saving a few million dollars with deferred payments.

However, while Chicago would prefer he stay so that they don't have to worry about him rebounding with another team to retire with a Hall of Fame career, the organization possesses several internal options to replace Thomas at DH both now and in future years. Jeff Liefer would probably receive a number of the DH at-bats in 2003, giving the Sox a potentially powerful left-handed at-bat in a predominantly right-handed lineup. Opening the position would also enable the White Sox to occasionally DH Carlos Lee, allowing Joe Borchard to spend some time in LF.

While Bud Selig doesn't want anything upstaging the playoffs, he's certainly not staying quiet himself. On Sunday the Commissioner took out a full-page ad in both the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Minnesota Star Tribune. Selig's ad thanked the cities' fans for their support of the team and congratulated the Twins. Somehow I doubt that Minnesota baseball fans we're looking for a thank you from Selig when they decided to attend games this season.

Last week in an interview, Selig announced that the presence of two Wild Card teams in the World Series has inspired him to consider expanding the playoffs. Personally, I can't believe that he'd say such a thing at this time, when it is bound to detract from the ongoing contest. Then again this is the man who ruined the high of last season's World Series with talk of contraction. I don't feel baseball should expand their playoff format at the current time. MLB will need to re-examine the postseason when they next expand, but in the meantime I'm proud of the fact that baseball has the most selective playoff format of the major sports. Additionally, I don't believe you should lengthen the playoffs by more than a week without shortening the regular season.

The Red Sox GM opening has become a running joke after Montreal GM Omar Minaya and Yankee VP of Major League Scouting General Manager Gene Michael declined to interview. J.P. Ricciardi also seemingly snubbed the organization by signing an extension with the Blue Jays despite possessing an out in his contract that would have allowed him to interview with the Red Sox.

Boston hasn't even officially heard back from Oakland as to whether they'll allow Billy Beane to interview with the Red Sox, although Beane has stated that he plans to stay with the A's. Toni Massarotti of the Boston Herald Tribune also quoted Oakland owner Steve Schott as issuing the following comments two weeks ago: "If they want Billy, they'd have to give me their whole team and some cash besides. Billy wants to stay here. Nobody is talking to me about him, and Billy's daughter is on the West Coast. Plus, we're moving to the next level."

Meanwhile the Red Sox feel flabbergasted over the situation. President Larry Lucchino commented to Boston Glove Staff Writer Gorden Edes that "I believe it requires a response. Certainly good business manners suggest a response is fitting." Regardless of the informal nature, I believe Boston received a clear response from the Athletics, who have no reason to allow Beane to seek a different employer after recently extending his contract through 2008. Were Beane in line for a promotion the situation might be different, but teams don't typically give away talent to other organizations. Despite the prestige of the Boston organization within baseball, they never should have expected to receive permission to speak with Beane, and they should have moved on gracefully a long time ago.

The Red Sox reportedly aren't in any hurry to find a new GM as they're happy with the work of interim GM Mike Port and his staff. However they do not seem inclined to retain Port on a more permanent basis. Boston has permission to talk to Phillies' director of scouting Mike Arbuckle, but while Arbuckle hasn't declined the opportunity he also hasn't yet arranged an interview. Many suspect Arbuckle may be waiting for the Philadelphia GM position to open, as they have a much stronger system than the Red Sox.

Jim Duquette, cousin of former Boston GM Dan Duquette, is set to interview with the club on Wednesday. Currently an assistant GM with the Mets, Jim is a highly qualified candidate who deserves an opportunity to run a club. Nevertheless, the Red Sox are unlikely to hire him due to his cousin's past with the organization.

In addition to the planned Jim Duquette interview, Boston has reportedly interviewed two other candidates. Former White Sox GM Ron Schueler interviewed for the position earlier this week, as did one other person who wishes to remain anonymous at this time. MLB Executive VP of Baseball Operations Sandy Alderson could easily be the mysterious candidate. Given his presence in the commissioner's office, he wouldn't want to cause a stir during the World Series by making his interview public. While his current post outranks that of a mere GM, he could be interested in returning to a position closer to an individual team. Despite the rejections they've suffered, Boston has an ample pool of qualified candidates and should easily be able to fill the position in the next few weeks. However, they should move quickly if they are going to move past Port, as the new GM should have the opportunity to manage their post-season transactions.