White Sox Deal for Jim Thome

[Perfection]

White Sox to deal Rowand for Phillies' ThomeESPN.com news services


PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Phillies reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday to send Jim Thome and cash to the World Series champion Chicago White Sox for center fielder Aaron Rowand.

The deal is subject to the players passing physicals, the Phillies said.

 
Thome, an oft-injured first baseman, is owed $43.5 million in the final three seasons of his contract. He hit .207 with seven homers and 30 RBI in just 193 at-bats last season and became expendable after the emergence of Ryan Howard, who won the NL Rookie of the Year award.

Thome, 35, is due about $12.5 million in 2006 and $14 million in each of the final two seasons of his six-year contract. The Phillies have a club option for 2009, and he has a no-trade clause. Rowand, 28, set career highs in 2004 by hitting .310 with 38 doubles, 24 homers and 69 RBI.

He became eligible for salary arbitration for the first time after making $340,000 in 2004, and signed a new contract with the White Sox in January.

He earned $2 million in 2005 and is expected to receive $3.25 million in 2006. Chicago has a club option for 2007 at $5 million and Rowand holds a player option for 2007 at $3.25 million.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[WestCoasta]

if Thome is healthy it's a good move, he can hit bombs

[Sofa_King_Awesome]

if Thome is healthy it's a good move, he can hit bombs

[Mo Z. Dizzle]

i guess they wont try n sign Konerko anymore

[BizzyR.I.P.]

Good move for the Phillies. Ryan Howard looked great last year, while Tome looks like he's in his last years as a good player.

[Perfection]

i guess they wont try n sign Konerko anymore

Actually that is untrue. Sincethey don't have the contracts of Carl Evertt & Frank Thomas on their hands; the White Sox do have extra money to spend & that apparently all goes to Jim Thome. They're still going to try & sign Konerko & have him at first with Thome at DH