Source: Thome, Phillies agree to deal

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Posted 1:06PM on Tuesday, December 3, 2002

PHILADELPHIA - Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez and now Jim Thome. The Cleveland Indians just haven't been able to keep their sluggers. Thome, the most coveted hitter in the free-agent market, agreed Monday to a six-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, two baseball officials said. He accepted a deal worth about $87.5 million, one of the officials said on the condition of anonymity. For the deal to become final, the 32-year-old first baseman must pass a physical. The Phillies, unwilling to spend money in the past, are aggressively trying to improve as they prepare to move into their new ballpark in 2004. Philadelphia agreed to a $17 million, four-year contract with third baseman David Bell on Nov. 24. The Phillies also have a $30 million, three-year offer out to free agent left-hander Tom Glavine, a two-time NL Cy Young award winner. Phillies general manager Ed Wade wouldn't discuss whether Thome had signed. He said negotiations with Glavine are in the ``critical stage.'' The Indians are going the other direction after a near decade of dominance in the AL Central. Belle left Cleveland after the 1996 season for a five-year, $55 million contract from the Chicago White Sox that made him baseball's highest-paid player at that time. Ramirez got an eight-year, $160-million contract from the Boston Red Sox two years ago. Thome, who hit a club-record 52 homers for the Indians last season, turned down a $60 million, five-year offer from the only team he has played for since he was a 13th-round pick in the 1989 amateur draft. The left-handed slugger has a .287 batting average, 334 homers and 927 RBIs in a 12-year major league career. ``Coming up in the Indians system, Jimmy was a guy everyone looked up to,'' Cleveland second baseman John McDonald said. ``I always wanted to play next to him, and I'm just sorry I won't ever get a chance to do that again. I'm happy for Jimmy and his family, but I'm just really sorry for the Indians family.'' Thome hit .304 with 118 RBIs, 122 walks and a .445 on-base percentage last season. He has hit at least 30 homers seven straight years and has driven in more than 100 runs in six of the last seven seasons. While Bell takes over at third base from All-Star Scott Rolen, traded to St. Louis last summer, Thome replaces Rolen's power in the middle of a lineup that includes Bobby Abreu and Pat Burrell. Thome's arrival signals the end of Travis Lee's time as Philadelphia's starting first baseman. Lee came to the Phillies in 2000 in the trade that sent Curt Schilling to Arizona. Thome's departure leaves a big hole in the Cleveland's lineup and another one in the heart of Indians fans. He was one of the most popular players in club history, and was recently given the Roberto Clemente Award, presented by the commissioner's office for charity work and community service. The Indians won six division titles and went to the World Series twice during Thome's tenure. The Phillies, meanwhile, are coming off their 14th losing season in 16 years. Thome began his career as a third baseman, but moved to first when the Indians acquired Matt Williams before the 1997 season. Thome hit 40 homers in 1997, 49 in 2001. Though he has had some back trouble, Thome has played at least 146 games in six of the last seven seasons. Thome becomes the highest-paid player in Phillies history, and the most prolific free agent to sign with the team since Pete Rose joined them 24 years ago. Thome met with team officials and toured Philadelphia on Nov. 7, but waited nearly a month to make his decision.