Jim Thome leaves Cleveland Indians to join Philadelphia Phillies – MLB News
The Cleveland Indians’ star slugger Jim Thome has decided to leave the franchise and determined to carry forward his career with the Philadelphia Phillies. Some Major League Baseball sources have confirmed Friday as Thome has agreed to sign a one year deal
with the Phillies for $1.25 million.
The Phillies officials have not yet issued any statement regarding Thome’s contract as they are waiting for him to pass a physical before any authorised appearance in the media.
Many baseball experts have already speculated as he will be leaving the Indians pretty soon especially since he became a free agent this last month. Thome himself has mentioned last month as he will keep playing baseball and if any potential title winning
team wants his services, he will be more than happy.
Thome said, “I'll keep playing, I just need teams to call me. I can't go play in the backyard by myself. I don't know the demand for a 41-year-old DH, but my passion is I want to continue to play.”
On the other hand, the Indians’ management, who brought Thome last season, was sure that he will consider the Indians’ offer before making any decision for his future. Some top officials of the Indians agreed to sign Thome for another season but when they
saw that he wanted to play with a title contending team, they backed off and let him do whatever he thinks is better for his future.
Last season, coming into the Indians’ roster, Thome played wonderfully and earned great appreciation with a tremendous .256 batting average, 15 home-runs, 50 RBIs and .361 OBP. His brilliant career average also speaks for him with a .277 batting average,
record 604 homers, 1674 RBIs and .403 OBP.
With all these tremendous stats, Thome’s coming to the Phillies franchise will be a great morale booster for the entire management. Thome’s affiliation with the Phillies franchise is not the first time, as he had also played for the Philadelphia Phillies
in the past for three years and coincidently from the same team, the Cleveland Indians.
It will be interesting to see what impact Thome will bring to the Phillies roster as they look for a successful 2012 season.
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