Gorman Thomas, the Seattle Mariners’ designated hitter,...

Gorman Thomas, the Seattle Mariners’ designated hitter, could become a free agent as soon as next week because the Mariners failed to send him a lump-sum payment of $200,000 by Wednesday, as required by Thomas’ contract, according to Thomas’ agent.

“I can’t believe the ballclub would do this,” agent Ed Kleven said. “They look like a real nickel-and-dime operation. All their talk about commitment is just talk, and if I get an opportunity to take Gorman out of there (Seattle), I’ll take it.”

Brian Beggs, the Mariners’ chief financial officer, said the team had not sent the payment, because it didn’t want to risk paying the money and having Thomas go out Tuesday with the rest of the players if there is a strike.