Thomas confident Rios can be a superstar for Sox

Frank Thomas and Milton Bradley were teammates with the Oakland A's in 2006.

When Bradley was spiraling down the drain with the Cubs last season, Thomas vouched for his talent - and character - while insisting Bradley would pull himself out and put up solid numbers.

Thomas was wrong about Bradley, but that didn't prevent the greatest hitter in White Sox history from pumping up another floundering ex-teammate on Sunday.

Thomas, who will work as a pre- and postgame analyst during Sox home games for Comcast SportsNet this season, played with Alex Rios in Toronto for parts of two seasons (2007-08).

"This kid could be a five-tool superstar any day of the week," said Thomas, who officially retired from major-league baseball on Feb. 12. "I've seen him go out and play as a five-tool player. He's a real good player. I've seen him at his best, doubles, triples, stealing bases. He's not a big home run hitter but he can do it all. Tremendous arm.

"You'll see a lot of triples out of that big man. If he hits the ball in the gap he's gone, he can fly. Great all-around player and Ozzie (Guillen is) going to love him. Now he knows his teammates and he's going to go along with them."

At the beginning of the 2008 season, Rios agreed to a contract extension with the Blue Jays for $69.8 million over seven years.

Last August, the 29-year-old center fielder found himself placed on waivers by Toronto and claimed by the Sox.

Rios never made the adjustment with his new team, batting .199 with 3 HR and 9 RBI in 41 games with the White Sox.

"No doubt about it, he was a fish out of water," Thomas said. "He was the man over there in Toronto, he was the player. To be traded knowing that he had signed the big contract, I'm sure his mind was: 'What the (heck)?' He really didn't want to sign that contract. It was like they forced it on him; I was there when they forced it on him. It was a good deal, but-"