Phils sign Thome to one-year deal

Eight years ago, the Phillies had to woo free-agent Jim Thome with a tour of their still-to-be-completed ballpark, a night out at a Flyers game, dinner at a fancy center-city restaurant and, of course, millions of dollars.

This time, the courting was much easier.

All the 41-year-old Thome wants is a chance to win his first World Series, and his old buddy Charlie Manuel manages one of the few teams with a terrific chance of fulfilling his career-long pursuit.

It was no secret at the trade deadline last season that Thome wanted to return to the Phillies as the Minnesota Twins faded from the playoff race. In fact, even before the season started, a baseball source said that Thome wanted to finish his career playing for Manuel and the Phillies.

Instead, he had to settle for taking one final bow with the Cleveland Indians in the city where his career started.

Now, after agreeing to a one-year deal that was first reported on the team's website Friday night, Thome will be reunited with Manuel next season. A baseball source confirmed the agreement.

CSNPhilly.com reported that the deal is worth $1.25 million, pending a physical that is scheduled for Saturday.

Attempts to confirm the deal with the Phillies were unsuccessful, and Thome's agent, Pat Rooney, did not return phone calls.

It should be interesting to see what role Thome plays next season, especially early in the season when it is possible that first baseman Ryan Howard still will be recovering from surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon in his left foot.

As a free agent in 2003, Thome came to the Phillies as a first baseman and remained in that role before suffering a back injury that opened the door for Howard to take his job and become the National League rookie of the year in 2005. That offseason, former Phillies general manager Pat Gillick traded Thome to Chicago White Sox for centerfielder Aaron Rowand and pitcher Gio Gonzalez.

Since then, Thome has played for the White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Twins, and Indians. What he has not done much is play anywhere in the field. He has logged a total of 28 innings at first base over the last six years, so it could be a stretch to think that he will spend much time at first base even if Howard cannot play during the first couple of months of the season.