Will Cuddyer follow Thome to Philly?

"All I can say about Michael is that he's a great player," Thome said. "He's a winner. He's a stand-up guy. I know he's done a lot of great things on and off the field in Minnesota. He's played there a long time. I think anybody who plays in that organization for a long time, their credibility is instantly high, because they've won themselves. I think any team that is going to get him is going to gain because of what he brings to the table. He's a great teammate. I would put him in my Top Five favorite teammates, no question, he's up there. He's a winner. He loves to play the game."

At the same time, Cuddyer has spent his entire career in Minnesota. Signing with the Phillies would mean leaving a place where he has an established comfort zone in his role with the team and his role in the community.

Thome declined to provide a gauge of his buddy's interest in joining the Phillies.

"I can't answer that," he said. "I knew you'd ask that. Look, I think every player that sees the way the Phillies have done things over the last 7-8 years, they've set the bar. They've set the bar very high. I think guys around baseball would love to come here. They've won, and when you win, you create a lot of good things."

Which is why Thome himself chose to return. He could have signed with a team in the American League, where he has performed almost exclusively as a designated hitter over the last six seasons. But his desire to return to the Phillies was mutual.

All parties involved wanted the reunion to occur last August, but the Phillies were last in waiver priority and thus at the mercy of other clubs. In the end, Thome landed in Cleveland.

In 2012, he will be with a familiar team in an unfamiliar role. Over the last 3 years, he is 15-for-63 with six extra-base hits, eight walks and 30 strikeouts in 72 pinch-hit plate appearances. This season, Ross Gload was 19-for-75 with five extra-base hits, two walks and 18 strikeouts in 77 pinch-hit plate appearances.

The move will require Thome to adapt to a new role and the Phillies to surround him with a bench that can make up for his defensive inability.

Whatever happens, one thing is clear: It has the potential to be a hell of a story.

Philler

Dan Duquette has signed a 3-year contract to become the Orioles' president of baseball operations, according to reports. He replaces Andy MacPhail, who stepped down last month. Among the candidates interviewed was Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock, who spent 3 years as Baltimore's director of baseball administration before joining the Phillies after the 2008 season.

For more Phillies coverage and opinion, read David Murphy's blog, High Cheese, at www.philly.com/HighCheese. Follow him on Twitter at

http://twitter.com/HighCheese.